character assassination

noun

Synonyms of character assassination next

: the slandering of a person usually with the intention of destroying public confidence in that person

Examples of character assassination in a Sentence

None of those rumors are true. She's been the victim of character assassination. the actor's lawyers charge that the tabloid engaged in a deliberate campaign of character assassination

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Advertisement Television Lythgoe calls Abdul lawsuit ‘worst form of character assassination’ as another accuser surfaces March 6, 2024 In January, Lythgoe denied Abdul’s allegations. —

Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024 Rather than celebrating his years of service and often unrecognized achievements, he was met with a scathing, unprofessional news segment that was more character assassination than responsible journalism. —

Sachin Hansen, The Denver Post, 25 Nov. 2024 As the moon clashes with Mercury, competition can lead to character assassinations! —

USA TODAY, 10 Nov. 2024 At the same time, politicians talked while the top brass stole, and all Ivan was left with was mindless paperwork — and now character assassination. —

Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for character assassination

Word History

First Known Use

1822, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of character assassination was in 1822

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/character%20assassination. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation