1
as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the actor's lawyers charge that the tabloid engaged in a deliberate campaign of character assassination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in libel
the use of personal attacks or insults in order to undermine an opponent
refused to resort to character assassination even if it meant losing his bid for governor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of character assassination
As the moon clashes with Mercury, competition can lead to character assassinations!
—
USA TODAY, 10 Nov. 2024
At the same time, politicians talked while the top brass stole, and all Ivan was left with was mindless paperwork — and now character assassination.
—Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
Farber harshly criticizes Cuba’s treatment of blacks, homosexuals, and political dissidents and exposes the Castro regime’s practice of obfuscating policy debates through character assassination.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Being falsely painted as a liar when I was never given the full story or played any part of the song is character assassination.
—EW.com, 6 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
USA TODAY, 10 Nov. 2024
At the same time, politicians talked while the top brass stole, and all Ivan was left with was mindless paperwork — and now character assassination.
—Sarah A. Topol, New York Times, 20 Sep. 2024
Farber harshly criticizes Cuba’s treatment of blacks, homosexuals, and political dissidents and exposes the Castro regime’s practice of obfuscating policy debates through character assassination.
—Richard Feinberg, Foreign Affairs, 1 Jan. 2012
Being falsely painted as a liar when I was never given the full story or played any part of the song is character assassination.
—EW.com, 6 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
Noun
-
The case found Greenpeace liable for defamation and trespassing.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2025
-
The Tate brothers also have an ongoing defamation lawsuit in the Palm Beach Circuit Court.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
On New Year’s Eve, Baldoni and nine other plaintiffs, including his crisis publicist Melissa Nathan, sued the New York Times for $250 million for libel.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
28 Feb. 2025
-
Baldoni, for is part, filed a libel lawsuit for $250 million against The New York Times—which first reported on Lively’s complaint—six days later.—
Jason Pham,
StyleCaster,
27 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Franke pleaded guilty to four counts of child abuse four months after her arrest and received the same punishment as Hildebrandt: four consecutive 15-year sentences.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
15 Mar. 2025
-
The footage also shows the now obligatory abuse, as the wheeled warrior continuously rights itself as it gets pushed around.—
Paul Ridden,
New Atlas,
15 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Libby represents more than 9,000 constituents in Maine's House District 90, and six of them have signed onto the lawsuit as plaintiffs because the censure has impeded her ability to help carry out other legislative actions to serve those constituents.—
Jackson Thompson,
Fox News,
12 Mar. 2025
-
Boebert’s office did not comment Tuesday but referenced a Monday post on X in which Boebert addressed the censure resolution by mocking Houlahan.—
Katie Langford,
The Denver Post,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Then came subsequent criticism about her selection for the 2024 Women’s Olympic team – especially considering Caitlin Clark’s absence – followed by her Las Vegas Aces’ loss in the 2024 WNBA Finals.—
C. Isaiah Smalls II,
Miami Herald,
22 Mar. 2025
-
There have been many waves of criticism, pointing out the impossibility of carrying out the test in a precise or useful way.—
Jaron Lanier,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share