huckster

1 of 2

noun

huck·​ster ˈhək-stər 

1

: hawker, peddler

especially : one who sells or advertises something in an aggressive, dishonest, or annoying way

2

: one who produces promotional material for commercial clients especially for radio or television

hucksterism

ˈhək-stə-ˌri-zəm 

noun

huckster

2 of 2

verb

huckstered; huckstering ˈhək-st(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

: haggle

transitive verb

1

: to deal in or bargain over

2

: to promote aggressively

Did you know?

Huckster comes from the Dutch noun hokester and verb hoeken, which means "to peddle."

Synonyms

Noun

• vendor
• pedlar
• seller
• peddler
• merchant
• dealer
• hawker

Examples of huckster in a Sentence

Noun

hucksters outside the auditorium selling everything from key chains to life-size cutouts of the performers

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Yet many mysteries remain, and plenty of myths and pseudoscientific claims surrounding the brain are still out there — many based on either misunderstandings of the empirical data or the misleading promises of hucksters. —Kevin Dickinson, Big Think, 19 Sep. 2025

The Conjuring–verse is an exercise in branding, the brainchild of master hucksters Ed and Lorraine Warren. —Bethy Squires, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025

While the real-life Warrens undoubtedly were hucksters and snake-oil salesmen, the fictional ones are an intensely likable couple whose love for each other is far firmer than the veil between the living and the dead. —Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 3 Sep. 2025

How to tell a true from a false prophet, the real Christ, returned in glory, from a dime-store messiah with a huckster’s charm? —Michael Robbins, Harpers Magazine, 20 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English hukster, from Middle Dutch hokester, from hoeken to peddle

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1592, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

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Kids Definition

huckster

noun

huck·​ster

ˈhək-stər

1

: one that peddles : hawker

hucksters selling souvenirs

2

: a writer of advertising especially for radio or television