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
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
While at the podium at the SAG Awards, Fonda also spoke about resistance against McCarthyism, a period of anti-communist hysteria in the 1950s.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
The film, co-written by Clooney and Heslov and directed by Clooney, depicted CBS journalist Murrow’s fight against senator Joseph McCarthy during the height of McCarthyism.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2025
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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
While at the podium at the SAG Awards, Fonda also spoke about resistance against McCarthyism, a period of anti-communist hysteria in the 1950s.
—Rebecca Rubin, Variety, 24 Feb. 2025
The film, co-written by Clooney and Heslov and directed by Clooney, depicted CBS journalist Murrow’s fight against senator Joseph McCarthy during the height of McCarthyism.
—Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 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 23 Mar. 2025.
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