grifter
Small-time con artist
A grifter is a swindler or con artist—someone who obtains money through deception, typically through small-scale schemes rather than elaborate heists.
The word carries connotations of charm and manipulation: He was a grifter who preyed on lonely widows.
The related verb grift means to engage in such swindles, and the noun grift refers to the practice itself.
Argument against
- scamDishonest money-making scheme
- swindleDeception for financial gain
- racketUproar, scam, or paddle
- hustleEnergetic, aggressive action
flimflam · shell game · Ponzi scheme · long con · short con · confidence game · bunco · sting
Professional fraud perpetrator
- scammerOne who defrauds others
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
hustler · faker · trickster · flimflammer · mountebank · shyster · hoaxer · shark
Intentional misleading of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
- chicaneryDeception through clever manipulation
dupery · guile · subterfuge · misrepresentation · fabrication · double-dealing · bait and switch · misdirection
Contemptible, unethical person
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
- lowlifeDisreputable, despicable person
- crookBent implement or criminal
- snakeLimbless scaled reptile
rat · weasel · parasite · predator · vulture · leech · bloodsucker · cheat
Persuasive, flattering speaker
- charismaticCompellingly attractive to others
- persuasiveAble to convince others
- glibSuperficially articulate
- suaveSmoothly refined in manner
slick · ingratiating · silver-tongued · magnetic · likeable · disarming · engaging · winning
con
Argument against
hustle · flimflam · shell game · Ponzi scheme · long con · short con · confidence game · bunco · sting · shakedown
con artist
Professional fraud perpetrator
- scammerOne who defrauds others
- fraudsterCriminal deceiver for gain
- impostorOne feigning another's identity
charlatan · hustler · faker · trickster · flimflammer · mountebank · shyster · hoaxer · shark · schemer
deception
Intentional misleading of others
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- trickeryDeliberate deception or fraud
chicanery · dupery · guile · subterfuge · misrepresentation · fabrication · double-dealing · bait and switch · misdirection · gaslighting
sleazeball
Contemptible, unethical person
- scoundrelDishonest, unscrupulous person
- lowlifeDisreputable, despicable person
- crookBent implement or criminal
snake · rat · weasel · parasite · predator · vulture · leech · bloodsucker · cheat · liar
smooth-talker
Persuasive, flattering speaker
- charismaticCompellingly attractive to others
- persuasiveAble to convince others
- glibSuperficially articulate
suave · slick · ingratiating · silver-tongued · magnetic · likeable · disarming · engaging · winning · flattering
- cheaterscheat, cheater, con artist, deceiver, fraud
- Crookscrook, fraudster, embezzler, con artist, con man
- deceiversliar, liars, deceiver, fraud, fake
- fakesfake, fakes, counterfeit, counterfeits, imitation
- roguesrogue, rogues, scoundrel, scoundrels, rascal
- smooth talkerssmooth talker, smooth-talker, sweet talker, sweet-talker, fast talker
grifterstraight shooter
Forthright, blunt person
honest broker · truth-teller · straight arrow · genuine article · man of honor
grifterphilanthropist
Donor to charitable causes
benefactor · altruist · saint · do-gooder · public servant