mudslinging

as in libel
the use of personal attacks or insults in order to undermine an opponent the ceaseless mudslinging merely convinced voters that neither candidate was worth voting for

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mudslinging
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
  • Patton-Smith says that red flag friend groups may foster cruel humor or social exclusion, jokes at others' expense, name-calling, or freezing kids out of activities.
    Sherri Gordon, Parents, 21 July 2025
  • There’s been name-calling, rumors and a couple of arguments that the teachers had to step in to settle.
    Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 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
  • 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
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Cite this Entry

“Mudslinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mudslinging. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.

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