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
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But Boebert faced a crowded GOP primary to replace Buck, and some criticized her as a carpetbagger. Caroline Vakil, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2024 Their carpetbagger steak, topped with fried oysters, is a standout dish. Marley Malenfant, Austin American-Statesman, 19 July 2024 However, Boebert, despite being called a carpetbagger for switching to the 4th District, defeated five opponents in the GOP primary, winning three times as many votes as the next-closest candidate. Judith Kohler, The Denver Post, 5 Nov. 2024 Casey has billed his opponent as an out-of-touch carpetbagger, hammering McCormick over his previous Connecticut residency. Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for carpetbagger 

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 3 Dec. 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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