McCarthyism
noun
Mc·Car·thy·ism
mə-ˈkär-thē-ˌi-zəm 
also -ˈkär-tē-
: a mid-20th century political attitude characterized chiefly by opposition to elements held to be subversive and by the use of tactics involving personal attacks on individuals by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations especially on the basis of unsubstantiated charges
broadly
: defamation of character or reputation through such tactics
Examples of McCarthyism in a Sentence
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Just as radio and television were used to stir up the fervor of McCarthyism, they were also used to undermine it.
—
Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
The references in Candide’s story go back to 18th century Voltaire, and Bernstein’s musings on such themes as McCarthyism in 20th century America.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
Major developments in their native Hungary—say, the country’s 1956 uprising—and civic life in America, from the Cold War and McCarthyism to Jim Crow and the civil-rights movement, go unremarked upon.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025
But its juiciest political battles are fought in the 1950s, at the height of McCarthyism, an era of brazen opportunism and fear-mongering that still permeates American electoral politics.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024
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Rebecca Jennings, Vox, 10 Jan. 2025
The references in Candide’s story go back to 18th century Voltaire, and Bernstein’s musings on such themes as McCarthyism in 20th century America.
—Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
Major developments in their native Hungary—say, the country’s 1956 uprising—and civic life in America, from the Cold War and McCarthyism to Jim Crow and the civil-rights movement, go unremarked upon.
—Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 3 Jan. 2025
But its juiciest political battles are fought in the 1950s, at the height of McCarthyism, an era of brazen opportunism and fear-mongering that still permeates American electoral politics.
—Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024
See all Example Sentences for McCarthyism
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“McCarthyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/McCarthyism. Accessed 6 Feb. 2025.
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