guilt by association

: moral guilt or unfitness presumed to exist on the basis of one's known associations
the doctrine of guilt by association has on occasion been used to brand as currently disloyal persons who at some past time had been members of an organization not known to be or considered subversive at the time they were members

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Dictionary Entries Near guilt by association

Cite this Entry

“Guilt by association.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/guilt%20by%20association. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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