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

Much of the story — about Murrow’s conflict with Senator Joseph McCarthy over his ongoing communist witch hunt — even played out on TV, via the anchor’s nightly newscasts. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 7 June 2025

In this eerie tale about fear, lust, and female empowerment, the real question becomes whether this is an act of witchcraft—or a witch hunt. —Shannon Carlin, Time, 22 May 2025

Biden orchestrated a witch hunt, having General Mark Milley and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin investigate white supremacy in the military. —Carl Burdette, Baltimore Sun, 21 Apr. 2025

The witch hunt on academics and student activists has little to do with actual antisemitism. —Sandy Tolan, Rolling Stone, 16 Apr. 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
• battlefront
• oceanfront
• riverfront
• waterfront
• blunt

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