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

McCarthyist

mə-ˈkär-thē-ist

also -ˈkär-tē-

adjective

McCarthyite

mə-ˈkär-thē-ˌīt

also -ˈkär-tē-

noun or adjective

Examples of McCarthyism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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After the war the rise of McCarthyism in the 1950s made being a card-carrying communist a problem socially if not legally. —

Richard Selcer, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Feb. 2025 Miller wrote the play as an allegory for McCarthyism, when the U.S. government persecuted people of being communists. —

Contributed Content, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 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 See all Example Sentences for McCarthyism