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 relentless character assassination of the West continues apace.
—
Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
The character assassination needs to stop.
—Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 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
The relentless character assassination of the West continues apace.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
The character assassination needs to stop.
—Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 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
The relentless character assassination of the West continues apace.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
Noun
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Trump asked a judge to order News Corp founder Rupert Murdoch to testify immediately in his defamation lawsuit over the Wall Street Journal’s reporting on Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, with the president citing the 94-year-old media mogul’s age to justify the request.—
Danielle Chemtob,
Forbes.com,
29 July 2025
-
His lawsuit against the Wall Street Journal seeking $10 billion for defamation because of a sketch on a birthday card is beyond laughable.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
28 July 2025
Noun
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The lawsuit also accused Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane of civil extortion, but was tossed in early June, along with Baldoni’s $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, for its coverage of Lively’s claims.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
31 July 2025
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But tensions escalated when Exeter later shared a private message from Jessica, who allegedly alluded to taking legal action for libel.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
-
Christy Corcoran, a nearby homeowner who took part in the camp cleanup, said the animal abuse is a sign of the bad actors who can swarm to large homeless camps.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
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Victoria Caldwell and Stubblefield pleaded guilty to evidence tampering and abuse of a corpse, and Burton and Caldwell entered Alford pleas to abuse of a corpse and second-degree manslaughter — while Burton also pleaded as such to tampering with evidence.—
Brenna Ehrlich,
Rolling Stone,
25 July 2025
Noun
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Later that month, Ramirez-Rosa avoided a historic censure thanks to Johnson’s tie-breaker vote, but not before the episode cast open bitter divisions within the body along racial lines.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
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Blain said in the statement that the independent investigative report — and the censure vote — were not objective inquiries, but the result of politics.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Noun
-
Ferrucci, the journalism professor, dismissed both criticisms.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
1 Aug. 2025
-
The brand has spoken out after a week of online discourse and criticism.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
1 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
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