1
as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation
the actor's lawyers charge that the tabloid engaged in a deliberate campaign of character assassination
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in libel
the use of personal attacks or insults in order to undermine an opponent
refused to resort to character assassination even if it meant losing his bid for governor
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of character assassination
There is a thin line between chatter and character assassination — and gossip goes right for the jugular.
—
Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The relentless character assassination of the West continues apace.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
The character assassination needs to stop.
—Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
The former congresswoman was a target for character assassination and neo-McCarthyism by those who reflexively support endless interventionism and attempt to cancel dissenting views.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Jason Walker Psyd, Forbes.com, 26 Mar. 2025
The relentless character assassination of the West continues apace.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 Mar. 2025
The character assassination needs to stop.
—Jovan Buha, The Athletic, 23 Feb. 2025
The former congresswoman was a target for character assassination and neo-McCarthyism by those who reflexively support endless interventionism and attempt to cancel dissenting views.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
Noun
-
Last week, a filing in the defamation case against Powell also showed the parties seeking voluntary dismissal.—
Olivia Rubin,
ABC News,
27 Sep. 2025
-
In a statement shared with The Guardian, a spokesperson for Ferguson said the duchess felt compelled to send the email after Epstein allegedly threatened to sue her for defamation over her comments to the Standard.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Apart from the libel suits, which the President can add teeth to by threatening regulatory sanctions or by slow-walking mergers and other business deals that require government approval, this is the persecution of people and organizations based on point of view.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Ressa knows a thing or two about fighting a government that is trying to silence the free press; in the Philippines, she was arrested and later found guilty of libel due to the fact that Rappler was critical of then-President Rodrigo Duterte.—
Michael Schneider,
Variety,
18 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
However, prosecutors argued that there was no evidence of abuse and that the murder was a premeditated effort to keep Doug from seeing their child.—
Jessica Sager,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
-
Leaders covered up abuse The new report also addressed the issue of IHOPKC staffers and leaders who covered up the abuse.—
Judy L. Thomas,
Kansas City Star,
27 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Mike Hallquist to make a motion for Seals's censure, which failed and was followed by cheering support by Seals' supporters.—
Bridget Fogarty,
jsonline.com,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The House voted to table the resolution 214-213, preventing it from moving to debate and a vote on the underlying censure, effectively ending Mace’s effort to formally reprimand Omar and remove her from committees.—
Emily Brooks,
The Hill,
20 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
If the smearing continues, look for a position elsewhere.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In an amusing touch for viewers who can recognize Baker and know his craft, his character is a grump who has nothing but criticism for the Halloween décor.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Lexington officials faced criticism after the April home explosion, as community members claimed the boy’s death could have been avoided if proper alerts were in place.—
Kendrick Calfee,
Kansas City Star,
26 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 1 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share