character assassination

noun

Definition of character assassinationnext
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

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 Liuzzo and Good suffered significant character assassination that their male partners-in-protest avoided. — Aniko Bodroghkozy, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026 This pattern of postmortem character assassination functions as a foundational tactic of modern autocracy. — Kyle Varner, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026 Cries of character assassination that the super smart Donnie would have to ask an AI algorithm for advice could be found all over Twitter. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025 Fending off a character assassination? — Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
  1. defamation
  2. libel
  3. criticism
  4. abuse
  5. censure
  6. smearing
Noun
  • In June, a federal judge ordered Baldoni and his production company to pay Lively’s attorney fees related to his unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against her, but rejected her bid for additional damages.
    — Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
  • Baldoni accused Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, the couple's publicist, Leslie Sloane, and others of extortion and defamation, among other claims.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026
Definition of defamation
Noun
  • Top United Nations official Vanessa Frazier is facing a furious backlash after spreading a sick, fake-news blood libel against Israel on social media.
    — Staff, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026
  • The complaint stated that Meta has declined to file a libel or defamation claim against Wynn-Williams.
    — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 25 June 2026
Definition of libel
Noun
  • Yet Valdés Ugalde points out that the US shows no signs of caring about Mexican criticisms of its immigration policy.
    — Mauricio Torres, CNN Money, 12 July 2026
  • The veteran official has spent 2026 fielding criticism, and his last month has been rough.
    — Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 12 July 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • Nigeria imposed a $220 million fine on Meta in 2024 following an investigation that alleged a breach of data privacy laws and market power abuse by the Silicon Valley giant.
    — Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 10 July 2026
  • Hundreds of pages of filings in a civil lawsuit and countersuit detail allegations of fraud and elder abuse, years of adultery, and a battle for property, luxury sports cars and cash.
    — Amber Gaudet, Charlotte Observer, 10 July 2026
Definition of abuse
Noun
  • After the censure on Monday, Hulsey again tried to exclude the city administrator from council business when the governing body went into executive session.
    — Rachel Royster July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
  • The escalation should start with a warning from the chair, followed by a motion of the board of censure (asking the owner to quiet down), followed by a motion to eject the offending owner from the meeting.
    — Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026
Definition of censure
Noun
  • So far, several celebrities have been tied to the smearing.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Whereas the initial narrowband signal might have a strong power across just a few frequencies, the smearing spreads that power across more frequencies, reducing the strength of the signal.
    — Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Mar. 2026
Definition of smearing

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character
character assassination
charactered
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Cite this Entry

“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 14 Jul. 2026.

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