muckrakers

noun

plural of muckraker
as in journalists
someone who tries to reveal information about prominent individuals behaving badly The newspaper used a team of seasoned muckrakers to expose the corruption at city hall.

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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 muckrakers Famous American muckrakers include Ida Tarbell who wrote about Standard Oil’s monopoly; Lincoln Steffens who wrote about corruption in city halls; and Upton Sinclair who exposed deplorable conditions in the meatpacking industry. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 21 May 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for muckrakers
  1. journalists
  2. reporters
Noun
  • His previous spell on the Bernabeu bench was filled with arguments and feuds, with the Portuguese angrily taking on referees, journalists, opposition coaches and even his own players.
    — Dermot Corrigan, New York Times, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Traditional newsrooms typically forbid journalists from accepting payments from sources or business partners to avoid conflicts of interest — or even the appearance of conflict.
    — Laurie Kellman, Los Angeles Times, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of journalists
Noun
  • And for broadcast leaders, please keep investing in reporters and tools to serve the traveling public.
    — Doug Turnbull, AJC.com, 9 Aug. 2026
  • But the chief declined to classify the violence as gang-related at a community briefing on July 24, when reporters pressed her about whether the people involved belonged to rival gangs or families.
    — Greg Wehner, FOXNews.com, 9 Aug. 2026
Definition of reporters

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Cite this Entry

“Muckrakers.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muckrakers. Accessed 17 Aug. 2026.

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