grifter

USAGE SUMMARY

'grifter' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is typically used to describe someone who obtains money or property through deception or fraud. For example, "They accused him of being a grifter because they believed he had stolen money from the company."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Let her explain… The London-born punk grifter and single mum at the heart of the cloning conspiracy "I love playing her most; she's my homegirl.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Arkadeen, Arkadini, Arkapopoulos — those are the sarcastic suggestions offered by a low-rent American post-war grifter as the real name of the mysterious international tycoon whose past he's investigating.

The New Yorker

Named after the pair of grifter conmen in The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, The Duke & The King are, respectively, Felice Brothers drummer/ singer Simone Felice and former George Clinton accomplice Robert Chicken Burkeke, who clearly harbour a lingering affection for an earlier era when, as they put it in "One More American Song", "our jeans were torn... and the music sewed us together".

Independent

Dick Gibson makes his living talking through the night with Arnold the Memory Expert, a nine-year-old millionaire orphan, and every manner of huckster and grifter imaginable.

The New Yorker

During more inconsistent episodes, I found myself craving the return of "Better Call Saul" 's standout character, the normcore grifter Betsy Kettleman, a suburban mom who stashes her cash in the bathroom of her McMansion.

The New Yorker

As one grifter put it, under condition of anonymity, when asked by researchers about his methods, "It is imperative that you work as quickly as possible.

The New Yorker

Her mother (Joan Bennett) tries to cover it up, but is blackmailed by a suave grifter (James Mason), who ends up falling in love with her.

The New Yorker

There's the seed of a funny, mean idea inside that portrait: that being a lawyer and being a grifter are not, in truth, different jobs.

The New Yorker

One amusing tale involved an encounter with a grifter named Tony Bennett who helped him paint his car, then stole $65 from him as they hugged farewell.

The New York Times - Arts

Mink Stole plays a Texas heiress and cancer survivor whose only reliable companion is a grimly opportunistic prostitute and grifter (Penny Arcade).

The New York Times

He is under the thumb of his domineering father, John David Keithh), a grifter who pushes his son's buttons, telling him, "I am the one who loves you for who you are, not who you pretend to be".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a character, use "grifter" to succinctly convey dishonesty and manipulative behavior in a narrative.

Common error

Avoid using "grifter" to describe someone you admire. It always carries a negative connotation of dishonesty and exploitation.

Linguistic Context

The term "grifter" functions primarily as a noun, denoting a person who obtains money or property through deception or fraud. Ludwig's examples show it modifying other nouns such as punk or American.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

90%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Academia

1%

Encyclopedias

0.5%

Wiki

0.5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "grifter" is a noun referring to a person who obtains money dishonestly. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media contexts, to negatively characterize individuals. While synonyms like "con artist" and "swindler" exist, "grifter" succinctly conveys dishonesty. Avoid using it as a compliment and be mindful of its accusatory nature. Based on the analysis, the word "grifter" should be used with caution and intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

con artist

Focuses on the artistic element of deception; implies skill and creativity in the con.

swindler

Emphasizes the act of defrauding someone of money or property.

scammer

Highlights the use of scams, often involving online or technological methods.

fraudster

Implies a more formal and potentially legal context of fraudulent activities.

chiseler

Suggests petty dishonesty and attempts to cheat someone out of small amounts.

confidence trickster

Stresses the manipulation of trust to deceive others.

charlatan

Highlights the false pretense of having skills or knowledge.

deceiver

A more general term for someone who misleads or deceives.

impostor

Implies pretending to be someone else to gain an advantage.

hustler

Describes someone who uses aggressive or unorthodox methods to achieve their goals, often with a negative connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "grifter" in a sentence?

You can use "grifter" to describe someone who obtains money or property through deception. For example, "The politician was exposed as a "grifter" who enriched himself at the public's expense."

What words have a similar meaning to "grifter"?

Synonyms for "grifter" include "con artist", "swindler", "scammer", and "fraudster". The choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to call someone a "grifter"?

Calling someone a "grifter" is accusatory and implies dishonesty. Use this term carefully and only when there is strong evidence of deceptive or fraudulent behavior.

What is the difference between a "grifter" and a "hustler"?

While both terms describe someone resourceful, "grifter" implies dishonesty and deception, while "hustler" can refer to someone who works hard and creatively to achieve their goals, even if through unconventional means. A "hustler" isn't necessarily fraudulent.