muck-raking
adjective C2
Plain meaning
the activity of exposing scandal, corruption, or private wrongdoing
Exam-register meaning
In formal or high-level texts, it is used to describe the activity of exposing scandal, corruption, or private wrongdoing, often with a precise or specialised tone.
In context
naturalHis response sounded muck-raking, so the conversation became difficult.
examThe passage presents a muck-raking assessment of the policy’s wider consequences.
Common collocations
a muck-raking responsemuck-raking behavioura muck-raking situation
Watch out
Do not use “very muck-raking” automatically; some advanced adjectives already carry a strong meaning or need a more natural intensifier.
Word family
muck (rakingness (noun, where natural))muck (rakingly (adverb, where natural))