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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
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
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
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
Noun
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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
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Federal courts apply state law to defamation cases.—
David Folkenflik,
NPR,
13 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Baldoni has since sued The Times for libel, and the newspaper stood by its coverage.—
Benjamin VanHoose,
People.com,
31 Mar. 2025
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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 over their initial story about Lively’s allegations.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
26 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Even before the recent cuts, watchdog officials considered the agency's thin federal workforce, which oversees more than 60,000 contract employees, to be an an Achilles heel that poses significant risk of fraud, waste, and abuse of taxpayer funds.—
Davis Winkie,
USA Today,
8 Apr. 2025
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Authorities were called April 3 to Richmond Hill Elementary School in Augusta regarding a report of child abuse, the report says.—
Tanasia Kenney,
Miami Herald,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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For an artist so focused on the future, criticism doesn’t slow him down.—
Eli Wizevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
14 Apr. 2025
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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 19 Apr. 2025.
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