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
There is a thin line between chatter and character assassination — and gossip goes right for the jugular.
—
Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
Noun
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Trump has also brought a $10 billion defamation suit against The Wall Street Journal for its article linking him to the Epstein note.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
16 Sep. 2025
-
The defamation case has been delayed while the time for an appeal of the underlying claims runs its course.—
Jeff McDonald,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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McQueen countersued him on several claims as well, including libel, intentional infliction of emotional distress and intentional interference with contractual or business relationships.—
Evan Mealins,
The Tennessean,
10 Sep. 2025
-
Bellis later added $473 million in punitive damages, bringing the total libel judgment to $1,436,620,000—believed to be one of the largest in American history.—
Robert Alexander,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Not by violence, not by the abuse of governmental power, nor by acts of corporate cowardice.—
Peter Aitken,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 Sep. 2025
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But the latest programming move by Disney should not just be seen as cowardly submission to an autocrat’s abuse of authority.—
Dave Smith,
Fortune,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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That includes issuing a public censure, or a recommendation to the council that Kimbrough be censured by that body as well.—
Austin Hornbostel,
Nashville Tennessean,
19 Sep. 2025
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This California congressman joins three other Republicans in opposing Omar censure via David Lightman.—
David Lightman,
Sacbee.com,
19 Sep. 2025
Noun
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If the smearing continues, look for a position elsewhere.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others.—
Alexandra Hutzler,
ABC News,
20 Sep. 2025
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Trump has been campaigning against Kimmel for months over his criticism of him, so he is thrilled with the show's suspension.—
Brittney Melton,
NPR,
19 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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