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

Netflix is teaming with Happy Valley star Sarah Lancashire, Abi Morgan and Sister on a dark thriller about a modern-day witch hunt, while the streamer has secured Bob Mortimer and Ricahrd Ayoade for its latest comedy entertainment show. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 24 Sep. 2026

In 1953 Arthur Miller’s The Crucible mirrored the ongoing witch hunt of the House Un-American Activities Committee; three years later John Osborne’s Look Back in Anger gave voice to the frustration and rage of the postwar generation in Britain. — Simon Callow, The New York Review of Books, 19 Sep. 2026

Cherfilus-McCormick continues to declare her innocence and calls the investigation, which was launched under President Joe Biden’s administration and carried out by a bipartisan committee, a partisan witch hunt. — Alex Harris, Miami Herald, 19 Aug. 2026

Israel, which is not a member of the court, has rejected the warrants and welcomed Khan’s removal on Friday, accusing him of conducting a witch hunt. — Sophie Tanno, CNN Money, 24 July 2026

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