muckrake: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal/Literary/Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “muckrake” mean?
To search for and expose real or alleged corruption or misconduct, especially by public figures.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To search for and expose real or alleged corruption or misconduct, especially by public figures.
To engage in a persistent, often sensationalist, investigation into scandalous activities, with connotations of dredging up unpleasant or sordid details.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common in American political/journalistic discourse, given its historical association with the Progressive Era 'muckraking' journalists.
Connotations
In both varieties, the word can be used approvingly (as fearless investigation) or disapprovingly (as dirty, sensationalist digging). The disapproving sense is perhaps more frequent.
Frequency
Rare in everyday conversation; primarily found in political commentary, historical texts, and media criticism.
Grammar
How to Use “muckrake” in a Sentence
[Journalist/Publication] muckrakes[Person] muckrakes about/into [scandal/corruption]accuse [someone] of muckrakingVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “muckrake” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The tabloid was condemned for choosing to muckrake rather than report on substantive policy issues.
- He made his career muckraking into the financial dealings of local councillors.
American English
- The senator accused the media of muckraking to influence the election.
- Her new book muckrakes into the dark history of the pharmaceutical industry.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in contexts of corporate scandal investigations.
Academic
Used in historical/political science contexts discussing investigative journalism.
Everyday
Extremely rare.
Technical
Not applicable.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “muckrake”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “muckrake”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “muckrake”
- Using it as a noun for a person (correct: 'muckraker', not 'muckrake').
- Confusing it with general criticism; it implies digging for scandalous facts.
- Misspelling as 'muckrack'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is context-dependent. It can praise diligent investigation or condemn unscrupulous scandal-mongering.
An investigative journalist seeks truth methodically. 'Muckraker' often implies a focus on scandalous, sordid, or sensational aspects, sometimes with a lack of objectivity.
No. The noun form is 'muckraking' (the activity) or 'muckraker' (the person).
No, it is a low-frequency word used primarily in specific historical, journalistic, or critical contexts.
To search for and expose real or alleged corruption or misconduct, especially by public figures.
Muckrake is usually formal/literary/journalistic in register.
Muckrake: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌkreɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈməkˌreɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to rake muck”
- “to rake over the muck”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a journalist using a rake to dig through muck (dirt, scandal) to find a hidden story.
Conceptual Metaphor
INVESTIGATION IS DIGGING FOR DIRT / TRUTH IS HIDDEN IN FILTH
Practice
Quiz
The term 'muckraking' originally gained prominence during which period?