witch hunt

noun

1
: a searching out for persecution of persons accused of witchcraft
2
: the searching out and deliberate harassment of those (such as political opponents) with unpopular views
witch-hunter noun
witch-hunting noun or adjective

Examples of witch hunt in a Sentence

He was the victim of a congressional witch hunt against Communists.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The former president had pleaded not guilty and has said the case was part of a political witch hunt. Sean O'Driscoll, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024 That film shows the lessons an aspiring real estate magnate learned after being taken under the wing of the reptilian lawyer who was once the right-hand man for Sen. Joseph McCarthy in the sensationalized communist witch hunt. Mike Fleming Jr, Deadline, 2 Oct. 2024 The witch hunt had no basis in real occult violence. Judy Berman, TIME, 18 Oct. 2024 This unprecedented ambush — paired with an advanced, coordinated media presence — leads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits. Michaela Zee, Variety, 17 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for witch hunt 

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of witch hunt was in 1853

Dictionary Entries Near witch hunt

Cite this Entry

“Witch hunt.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/witch%20hunt. Accessed 23 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

witch-hunt

noun
-ˌhənt
1
: a searching out and persecution of persons accused of witchcraft
2
: the searching out and deliberate harassment of those (as political opponents) with unpopular views

More from Merriam-Webster on witch hunt

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