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
Recent Examples on the Web
The show dealt with issues ranging from the rise of McCarthyism to the AIDS epidemic that destroyed the gay community throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
—
Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 29 Mar. 2025
The new Administration is dismantling the federal government, allying itself with strongmen, and implementing a new McCarthyism.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
In 1950s America, Jews were central targets of McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
—Adam Jaffe, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
These events marked the beginning of the era of McCarthyism.
Ruth Stout, noted ex-Communist, was never hauled before McCarthy’s committee.
—Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
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Harrison Richlin, IndieWire, 29 Mar. 2025
The new Administration is dismantling the federal government, allying itself with strongmen, and implementing a new McCarthyism.
—Kyle Chayka, The New Yorker, 26 Mar. 2025
In 1950s America, Jews were central targets of McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
—Adam Jaffe, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2025
These events marked the beginning of the era of McCarthyism.
Ruth Stout, noted ex-Communist, was never hauled before McCarthy’s committee.
—Jill Lepore, The New Yorker, 17 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for McCarthyism
Cite this Entry
“McCarthyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/McCarthyism. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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