Carpetbagger
noun
A person from the Northern states who went to the South after the Civil War to profit from the Reconstruction.
After the civil war, many carpetbaggers moved South in order to profit from the rebuilding.
Often appears as...
- carpetbagger from the north
- carpetbagger during reconstruction
Usage tips
Disapproving
Historic
noun
A person seen as an outsider who seeks personal gain or political advantage, often at the expense of locals.
Some people regarded the new CEO as a carpetbagger because he didn't understand the company culture and was just there to make a quick profit.
Often appears as...
- seen as a carpetbagger
- political carpetbagger
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person attempting to acquire control of a company, or wants a quick profit by buying undervalued assets.
The firm has been the target of a carpetbagger who believes the company's assets are undervalued.
Often appears as...
- corporate carpetbagger
- carpetbagger in the boardroom
Usage tips
Disapproving
Financial
noun
A person from the Northern states who went to the South after the Civil War to profit from the Reconstruction.
After the civil war, many carpetbaggers moved South in order to profit from the rebuilding.
Often appears as...
- carpetbagger from the north
- carpetbagger during reconstruction
Usage tips
Disapproving
Historic
noun
A person seen as an outsider who seeks personal gain or political advantage, often at the expense of locals.
Some people regarded the new CEO as a carpetbagger because he didn't understand the company culture and was just there to make a quick profit.
Often appears as...
- seen as a carpetbagger
- political carpetbagger
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
A person attempting to acquire control of a company, or wants a quick profit by buying undervalued assets.
The firm has been the target of a carpetbagger who believes the company's assets are undervalued.
Often appears as...
- corporate carpetbagger
- carpetbagger in the boardroom
Usage tips
Disapproving
Financial
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Originally used with a negative tone, implying exploitation after the Civil War.
He was labeled a carpetbagger for buying up land cheaply from those still suffering.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Usage
Rooted in history; be aware of its Civil War and Reconstruction era context.
History classes help us understand the role carpetbaggers played post-war.
Pro Tip 3/3Modern Implication
Used figuratively today to describe exploitative opportunists in diverse contexts.
The media often cast politicians as carpetbaggers during scandalous elections.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Originally used with a negative tone, implying exploitation after the Civil War.
He was labeled a carpetbagger for buying up land cheaply from those still suffering.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Usage
Rooted in history; be aware of its Civil War and Reconstruction era context.
History classes help us understand the role carpetbaggers played post-war.
Pro Tip 3/3Modern Implication
Used figuratively today to describe exploitative opportunists in diverse contexts.
The media often cast politicians as carpetbaggers during scandalous elections.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
Originally used with a negative tone, implying exploitation after the Civil War.
He was labeled a carpetbagger for buying up land cheaply from those still suffering.
Pro Tip 2/3Historical Usage
Rooted in history; be aware of its Civil War and Reconstruction era context.
History classes help us understand the role carpetbaggers played post-war.
Pro Tip 3/3Modern Implication
Used figuratively today to describe exploitative opportunists in diverse contexts.
The media often cast politicians as carpetbaggers during scandalous elections.
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Video examples
Benjamin Barber: Why...
and they knew him. Mayors are usually from the places they govern. It's pretty hard to be a carpetbagger and be a mayor. You can run for the Senate out of a different state, but it's hard to do that as a mayor. And as a result, mayors and city councillors
Video examples
Benjamin Barber: Why...
and they knew him. Mayors are usually from the places they govern. It's pretty hard to be a carpetbagger and be a mayor. You can run for the Senate out of a different state, but it's hard to do that as a mayor. And as a result, mayors and city councillors
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Krystal Ball
American Activist
I've lived in the state almost my entire life, so I think if I ever wanted to come back and serve in Virginia, it would be pretty hard to paint me as a carpetbagger.
Quote examples
Darius Rucker
American Musician
People looked at me as a carpetbagger coming over from pop to country. But it helped because it got me in the room.
Quote examples
Krystal Ball
American Activist
I've lived in the state almost my entire life, so I think if I ever wanted to come back and serve in Virginia, it would be pretty hard to paint me as a carpetbagger.
Quote examples
Darius Rucker
American Musician
People looked at me as a carpetbagger coming over from pop to country. But it helped because it got me in the room.
Example 1 of 2
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