carpetbagging
/ˈkɑrpɪtˌbæɡɪŋ/
noun
- The act of an outsider moving into a place to take advantage of opportunities, especially in politics or business.
- Carpetbagging was common after the Civil War when many northerners moved south.
- The newspaper ran an article criticizing carpetbagging in local elections.
- Some people see carpetbagging as a way to bring new ideas, while others view it as dishonest.
adjective
- Relating to or characteristic of an outsider who moves in for personal gain.
- The film tells the story of a carpetbagging speculator in the Old West.
- Voters were suspicious of the carpetbagging candidate who had no ties to the community.
- The carpetbagging businessman bought up cheap land and left after making a profit.
Synonyms