carpetbagger

noun

car·​pet·​bag·​ger ˈkär-pət-ˌba-gər How to pronounce carpetbagger (audio)
plural carpetbaggers
1
disapproving : a Northerner in the South after the American Civil War usually seeking private gain under the Reconstruction governments
2
disapproving : outsider
especially : a nonresident or new resident who seeks private gain from an area often by meddling in its business or politics
carpetbaggery noun

Examples of carpetbagger in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Oysters, biscuits and carpetbagger steak The original plan was to road trip to Montana, with 4,000 oysters in tow, as well as pounds of crab meat, scrapple, fish peppers and other produce. Amanda Yeager, Baltimore Sun, 12 June 2024 Playing defense on a difficult map, Democrats have accused several Republican challengers — including Sam Brown in Nevada, Eric Hovde in Wisconsin and David McCormick in Pennsylvania — of being carpetbaggers, or having moved to their states recently for the purpose of running for office. Kellen Browning Tailyr Irvine, New York Times, 17 May 2024 Opponents of the recall have been quick to label its organizers as carpetbaggers, citing January’s campaign finance report that showed a slew of Republican donors who reside outside Ward 6 contributing. Andrew Trunsky, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2024 The infighting among psychedelic stakeholders and activists only benefits the corporate carpetbaggers. Robert Johnson, Rolling Stone, 27 Mar. 2023 See all Example Sentences for carpetbagger 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'carpetbagger.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

from their carrying all their belongings in carpetbags

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of carpetbagger was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near carpetbagger

Cite this Entry

“Carpetbagger.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/carpetbagger. Accessed 6 Jul. 2024.

Kids Definition

carpetbagger

noun
car·​pet·​bag·​ger ˈkär-pət-ˌbag-ər How to pronounce carpetbagger (audio)
: a Northerner in the South after the American Civil War usually seeking private gain under the reconstruction governments

More from Merriam-Webster on carpetbagger

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