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 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
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In a video missive put out earlier Tuesday, Sharpe attacked Buzbee’s credibility directly and promised to file a defamation lawsuit against the admittedly aggressive attorney and the OnlyFans posting Jane Doe.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
24 Apr. 2025
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Hov not only sued her for defamation, but also her attorney Tony Buzbee.—
Armon Sadler,
VIBE.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In February 2022, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff rejected Palin's claims in a ruling issued while a jury deliberated, saying Palin had failed to show that the Times had acted out of malice, something required in libel lawsuits involving public figures.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
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Lipstadt became famous—and was later portrayed onscreen by Rachel Weisz—for winning a judgment in a British court against the Holocaust denier David Irving, who had sued her for libel.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
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Similarly, in the legal profession, lawyers who violate state bar codes of conduct are subject to discipline, such as censure, suspension, or loss of license to practice law.—
Paul Du Quenoy,
MSNBC Newsweek,
26 Mar. 2025
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Representative Lauren Boebert has criticized her colleague Representative Chrissy Houlahan, the Pennsylvania Democrat who introduced a motion of censure against the Colorado Republican on Monday.—
Faisal Kutty,
Newsweek,
12 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The move came after White House staffers lobbed criticism at comments made by Ruffin that were critical of the Trump administration.—
James Powel,
USA Today,
27 Apr. 2025
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This comes as the Trump administration has faced growing criticisms for its hurried proceedings to remove as many noncitizens from the country as quickly as possible.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
26 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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