graft 1 of 2

noun

Definition of graftnext
as in stealing
dishonest activity in which people with power (such as political leaders) use their position and influence to get money and advantages The newspaper published a series of articles exposing graft in the city government.

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graft

2 of 2

verb

as in to tie

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Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of graft
Noun
For her, the immunosuppressant drugs to prevent graft rejection were nothing new. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 8 July 2026 Erling Haaland came very close with his brace against Brazil but Bellingham’s goals and graft under insane pressure in the Azteca was the international performance of his life to date. — Stuart James, New York Times, 7 July 2026
Verb
The laborers and manufacturers prepare to graft. — Literary Hub, 23 Apr. 2026 That being said, its professional technical aspects just add to the impression that this is a glib and insincere effort, trying to graft a fun moviegoing experience onto a depressing story about hateful people reveling in each other’s pain. — Katie Rife, IndieWire, 16 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for graft
Recent Examples of Synonyms for graft
  1. stealing
  2. tie
  3. theft
  4. affix
  5. embezzlement
  6. insert
  7. robbery
  8. attach
Noun
  • Like the first book of the trilogy, this one unfolds entirely in dialogue—only instead of giving us a narrator whose hat was stolen, this story is narrated by the fish who did the stealing.
    — Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
  • Luke Locklear, 29, of Lumberton, is charged with felony conspiracy, and altering/stealing/destroying criminal evidence by taking it from the home and burning it, a warrant says.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 26 June 2026
Definition of stealing
Verb
  • The 4-point play gave Mitchell her fourth 30-point game of the season, tied for the most in a single season in franchise history, and extended her franchise record to 15 30-point outings.
    — James Boyd, New York Times, 19 July 2026
  • Odysseus insisted on hearing their song and was tied to the mast.
    — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 18 July 2026
Definition of tie
Noun
  • After committing theft or fraud, the con man used his background as a cop to his advantage while in county jail.
    — Carly Tagen-Dye, PEOPLE, 21 July 2026
  • Newsom drew a parallel to the plague of retail theft that captivated the state not long ago, and which the state has successfully combated.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of theft
Verb
  • The scene was both serious and strange — after all, this was Vegas and a member of the Satanic temple with black devil horns affixed to the top of his head was waiting for his turn on the microphone.
    — Candace Buckner, New York Times, 16 July 2026
  • One room had a baby gate affixed to the outside of the door frame, held together with numerous zip ties and duct tape, police said.
    — Ingrid Vasquez, PEOPLE, 15 July 2026
Definition of affix
Noun
  • The claim and counterclaim are among serious allegations – including of smear campaigns and embezzlement – aired in multiple court cases now swirling around the production of the Australian musical comedy.
    — Hilary Whiteman, CNN Money, 22 July 2026
  • His wife died in July, and Porter was convicted the following year, and in March 1898, sentenced to five years in prison for embezzlement.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 20 July 2026
Definition of embezzlement
Verb
  • The goal is to insert genes from Asian chestnuts, or modify American chestnut genes to act more like those in Asian chestnuts.
    — Steve Strauss, The Conversation, 22 July 2026
  • Redemption cards for each will be randomly inserted in packs.
    — Larry Holder, New York Times, 21 July 2026
Definition of insert
Noun
  • The museum’s Apollo Gallery is open to the public for the first time since the infamous daytime jewelry robbery last October, in which thieves snagged around $102 million worth of crown jewels and other treasures.
    — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 22 July 2026
  • Civilian Response Unit Specialist and Marine Corps veteran Edward Zapata was shot in the eye while responding to a robbery call.
    — Mary Ella Hastings July 21, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 21 July 2026
Definition of robbery
Verb
  • This is the first time Xi has attended the flagship event since its launch in 2018, a clear signal of the importance Beijing attaches to AI and the mounting competition with the US to lead its future.
    — Simone McCarthy, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
  • The twist is that she’s already attached to Reynolds (Ben Foster), who looks like a dweeb — but is, in fact, an extremely wealthy and powerful drug kingpin.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 16 July 2026
Definition of attach

Browse Nearby Words

graffitists
graft
grafted
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Cite this Entry

“Graft.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/graft. Accessed 24 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on graft

Nglish: Translation of graft for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about graft

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