witch hunt

noun

1

: a searching out for persecution of persons accused of witchcraft

2

: the searching out and deliberate harassment of those (such as political opponents) with unpopular views

witch-hunter

ˈwich-ˌhən-tər 

noun

witch-hunting

ˈwich-ˌhən-tiŋ 

noun or adjective

Examples of witch hunt in a Sentence

He was the victim of a congressional witch hunt against Communists.

Recent Examples on the Web

Perhaps Formosus was just the victim of a witch hunt. — Jane Bua, New Yorker, 20 Apr. 2026

Gezi gave way to crackdowns and an administrative witch hunt that saw thousands of academics, judges, journalists, lawyers, and civil servants jailed. — Literary Hub, 10 Feb. 2026

No patriots so defaced America as those who, in the name of Americanism, launched a witch hunt that became a byword around the world. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 23 June 2026

In an effort to combat the allegations and other reports of misconduct, Patel has launched a witch hunt against journalists and his own agents. — Jeet Heer, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1853, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for witch hunt

• affront
• confront
• exeunt
• forefront
• lakefront
• manhunt
• sederunt
• upfront
• battlefront
• oceanfront
• riverfront
• waterfront

Kids Definition

witch-hunt

noun

-ˌhənt

1

: a searching out and persecution of persons accused of witchcraft

2

: the searching out and deliberate harassment of those (as political opponents) with unpopular views