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
The relentless character assassination of the West continues apace.
—
Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
The former congresswoman was a target for character assassination and neo-McCarthyism by those who reflexively support endless interventionism and attempt to cancel dissenting views.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Trump, however, defends himself with illusory conspiracy theories, political propaganda, disinformation, misinformation, lies, and character assassination.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 15 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Television Lythgoe calls Abdul lawsuit ‘worst form of character assassination’ as another accuser surfaces
March 6, 2024
In January, Lythgoe denied Abdul’s allegations.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
The former congresswoman was a target for character assassination and neo-McCarthyism by those who reflexively support endless interventionism and attempt to cancel dissenting views.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Trump, however, defends himself with illusory conspiracy theories, political propaganda, disinformation, misinformation, lies, and character assassination.
—Thomas Cangelosi, Hartford Courant, 15 Dec. 2024
Advertisement Television Lythgoe calls Abdul lawsuit ‘worst form of character assassination’ as another accuser surfaces
March 6, 2024
In January, Lythgoe denied Abdul’s allegations.
—Alexandra Del Rosario, Los Angeles Times, 13 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
Noun
-
In a separate move Wednesday, Trump also took action against the law firm Susman Godfrey, which represented Dominion Voting Systems in its high-profile defamation lawsuit against Fox News.—
Raja Krishnamoorthi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Apr. 2025
-
Federal courts apply state law to defamation cases.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
What To Know The lawsuit filed Friday accuses the Associated Press of defamation and libel.—
David Faris,
MSNBC Newsweek,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Supreme Court rejects Steve Wynn appeal The Supreme Court has turned back an appeal from casino mogul Steve Wynn, who had challenged a landmark libel ruling as part of a lawsuit against The Associated Press.—
Boston Herald Wire Services,
Boston Herald,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The mystery surrounded a bunch of kids tasked with gathering information in order to save the nation trillions of dollars in waste, fraud and abuse.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
19 Apr. 2025
-
The recent amendments to Maryland’s Child Victims Act, unveiled in a month dedicated to child abuse prevention awareness — April — are deeply troubling.—
Diana Philip,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Out of the privation, the challenge, and the censure of slavery and the unfulfilled promise of post-Reconstruction justice, Black musicians embraced experimentation and innovation, ingenuity and joy, and a multigenerational call and response speaking truth to power that endures to the present day.—
Elizabeth Alexander,
Time,
1 Apr. 2025
-
The commissioners held an executive session Monday, an hour before the district sent an email with the Tuesday censure agenda item.—
Nick Rosenberger,
Idaho Statesman,
1 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
For an artist so focused on the future, criticism doesn’t slow him down.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
-
The messaging also included criticism of U.S. policy that echoed China's public statements.—
Beijing and Washington Bureaus,
USA Today,
14 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share