character assassination
noun
: 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
Starting in March 1954, the program helped shift public opinion on McCarthy’s anti-communist witch hunt, and the character assassination tactics of the man himself, which encroached on basic American freedoms.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The relentless character assassination of the West continues apace.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
The former congresswoman was a target for character assassination and neo-McCarthyism by those who reflexively support endless interventionism and attempt to cancel dissenting views.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Trump, however, defends himself with illusory conspiracy theories, political propaganda, disinformation, misinformation, lies, and character assassination.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
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David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2019
The relentless character assassination of the West continues apace.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
The former congresswoman was a target for character assassination and neo-McCarthyism by those who reflexively support endless interventionism and attempt to cancel dissenting views.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Trump, however, defends himself with illusory conspiracy theories, political propaganda, disinformation, misinformation, lies, and character assassination.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 15 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/character%20assassination. Accessed 13 Apr. 2025.
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