Standard Lemma guide

muckrake

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • CMU ARPABET: M AH1 K R EY2 K Digits mark lexical stress: 1 primary, 2 secondary, 0 unstressed.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A rake for scraping up dung.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To search for and expose corruption or scandal, especially as a form of investigative journalism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: intransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

explore and expose misconduct and scandals concerning public figures

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • This reporter was well-known for his muckraking

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: unwrap, disclose, let on, bring out, reveal, discover, expose, divulge, break, give away, let out

History

Etymology

From muck + rake.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • German: Mistgabel — 1. A rake for scraping up dung.
  • Polish: grabie do rozgarniania gnoju — 1. A rake for scraping up dung.
  • Swedish: dyngraka — 1. A rake for scraping up dung.