Main Entry: Mc·Car·thy·ism

Pronunciation: \mə-ˈkär-thē-ˌi-zəm also -ˈkär-tē-\

Function: noun

Etymology: Joseph R. McCarthy

Date: 1950

: a mid-20th century political attitude characterized chiefly by opposition to elements held to be subversive and by the use of tactics involving personal attacks on individuals by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations especially on the basis of unsubstantiated charges; broadly : defamation of character or reputation through such tactics

— McCarthyist adjective

— Mc·Car·thy·ite \-ˌīt\ noun or adjective