McCarthyism
noun
Mc·Car·thy·ism
mə-ˈkär-thē-ˌi-zəm 
also -ˈkär-tē-
: 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
Examples of McCarthyism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
From the Sedition Act in the 1790s to McCarthyism in the 1950s and the Trump administration’s assault on the First Amendment, government has used its awesome powers to pursue and punish critics.
—
Donald Nieman, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
The Committee for the First Amendment was originally spearheaded by the Oscar winner's father, actor Henry Fonda, to fight McCarthyism.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Redford’s main tasks are to look just as fabulous as Streisand, gaze upon her adoringly, and make sure his character stays likable despite his McCarthyism.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
It was released at the height of Joseph R. McCarthy’s Red Scare and has been interpreted as Hollywood’s rebuke to McCarthyism.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2025
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Donald Nieman, The Conversation, 7 Oct. 2025
The Committee for the First Amendment was originally spearheaded by the Oscar winner's father, actor Henry Fonda, to fight McCarthyism.
—Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
Redford’s main tasks are to look just as fabulous as Streisand, gaze upon her adoringly, and make sure his character stays likable despite his McCarthyism.
—Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 17 Sep. 2025
It was released at the height of Joseph R. McCarthy’s Red Scare and has been interpreted as Hollywood’s rebuke to McCarthyism.
—Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 15 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for McCarthyism
Cite this Entry
“McCarthyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/McCarthyism. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
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