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
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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
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Recent Examples of character assassination
Rather than celebrating his years of service and often unrecognized achievements, he was met with a scathing, unprofessional news segment that was more character assassination than responsible journalism.
—
Sachin Hansen, The Denver Post, 25 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Sachin Hansen, The Denver Post, 25 Nov. 2024
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
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
Noun
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The case found Greenpeace liable for defamation and trespassing.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
20 Mar. 2025
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The Tate brothers also have an ongoing defamation lawsuit in the Palm Beach Circuit Court.—
Lynsey Eidell,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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On New Year’s Eve, Baldoni and nine other plaintiffs, including crisis publicist Melissa Nathan and Abel sued the New York Times for $250 million for libel.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
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Lively also advances procedural arguments to dismiss the defamation claims, including that Baldoni brought his lawsuit past the one year window to sue for libel.—
Winston Cho,
The Hollywood Reporter,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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That same Jane Doe voluntarily dismissed her case in February; weeks later, Jay-Z sued Jane Doe, Buzbee and another attorney for malicious prosecution, abuse of process, civil conspiracy and defamation.—
KiMi Robinson,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2025
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The suspect has been identified as Martin Villalobos Junior, aged 27, a former resident who currently has a protection from abuse order issued against him to stay away from the property.—
Christina Shaw,
FOXNews.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Fox News was first to report the censure resolution.—
Andrew Solender,
Axios,
25 Mar. 2025
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The Washington Examiner obtained the text of the censure resolution.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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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
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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 3 Apr. 2025.
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