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Definition of carpetbagger
1 : a Northerner in the South after the American Civil War usually seeking private gain under the reconstruction governments
2 : outsider; especially : a nonresident or new resident who seeks private gain from an area often by meddling in its business or politics
From the M-W Editors
Recent Examples of carpetbagger from the Web
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Southern carpetbaggers: Gov. Rick Scott is currently in New York City for a fundraiser and a slew of media appearances.
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A relentless barrage of attacks ads sought to define Democratic candidate Jon Ossoff, 30, as an inexperienced and liberal carpetbagger who would be a puppet of Nancy Pelosi.
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Some were involved in the plotting that led to what has become known as the Battle of Liberty Place, the White League's Sept. 14,1874, attack on policemen in an attempt to end Reconstruction and drive out carpetbaggers and black officeholders.
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Quist, a native Montanan, has also cast Gianforte as a carpetbagger from New Jersey who wants to buy the state's lone House seat.
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Yet country radio programmers treated her more like a carpetbagger than a forerunner.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'carpetbagger'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of carpetbagger
from their carrying all their belongings in carpetbags
Other History Terms
CARPETBAGGER Defined for English Language Learners
carpetbagger
playDefinition of carpetbagger for English Language Learners
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: a person from the northern United States who went to the South after the American Civil War to make money
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: a political candidate who runs for office in a place where he or she has lived only for a short time
Learn More about carpetbagger
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See words that rhyme with carpetbagger Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about carpetbagger
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