1. a journalist or writer who investigates and exposes corruption, scandal, or wrongdoing in business, politics, or society
Usage: often used approvingly in modern contexts; historically associated with early 20th-century American investigative journalists

Examples

• The muckraker published a series of articles revealing unsafe conditions in the factory.
• Ida Tarbell was a famous muckraker who exposed the practices of Standard Oil.
• Modern muckrakers use social media to uncover corporate fraud.
• The newspaper hired a muckraker to investigate corruption in city government.
• Muckrakers played an important role in driving social reform during the Progressive Era.
• She became a muckraker after witnessing environmental violations by the chemical company.