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character assassination

noun

Definition of character assassination

  1. :  the slandering of a person usually with the intention of destroying public confidence in that person

See character assassination defined for English-language learners

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Examples of character assassination in a Sentence

  1. None of those rumors are true. She's been the victim of character assassination.

  2. the actor's lawyers charge that the tabloid engaged in a deliberate campaign of character assassination

First Known Use of character assassination

1822

character assassination Synonyms

Synonyms
aspersing, blackening, calumniation, calumny, slander, defamation, defaming, libel, libeling (or libelling), maligning, smearing, traducing, vilification, vilifying
Related Words
aspersion, innuendo, muck, mud, smear; backbiting, detraction; abuse, invective, vituperation; attack, censure, criticism, denunciation, hatchet job; contempt, disdain, scorn; belittlement, denigration, disparagement; cattiness, despite, hatefulness, malevolence, malice, maliciousness, malignancy, malignity, meanness, nastiness, spite, spitefulness, spleen, venom, viciousness
Near Antonyms
acclaim, accolade, applause, commendation, praise; esteem, honor, respect; adulation, flattery; adoration, reverence, veneration, worship

CHARACTER ASSASSINATION Defined for English Language Learners

character assassination

noun

Definition of character assassination for English Language Learners

  • : the act of saying false things about a person usually in order to make the public stop liking or trusting that person

Learn More about character assassination

  1. Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for character assassination

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character assassination

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Examples: character assassination in a Sentence