character assassination

noun

Definition of character assassinationnext
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

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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 Political bullies also enjoy demeaning names and character assassination. — Arkansas Online, 16 Mar. 2026 Putting an exclamation point on that thought with a scene of Carol yelling at a group of joggers to get out of the way while listening to a self-motivation audiobook makes her character assassination feel heavy-handed this early on in the seven-episode run. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026 Liuzzo and Good suffered significant character assassination that their male partners-in-protest avoided. — Aniko Bodroghkozy, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026 This pattern of postmortem character assassination functions as a foundational tactic of modern autocracy. — Kyle Varner, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
  1. defamation
  2. libel
  3. criticism
  4. abuse
  5. censure
  6. smearing
Noun
  • This is the second time a federal judge has tossed the defamation suit, which sought $10 billion in damages.
    — Scott Nover, Washington Post, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Trump sought at least $20 billion in damages on two counts of defamation in the initial suit, filed in July 2025.
    — Payton Turkeltaub, Variety, 31 Oct. 2026
Definition of defamation
Noun
  • Giuliani was also slapped with a $148-million libel verdict for smearing two election workers in Georgia.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 8 Nov. 2026
  • In addition to the restraining order, Fif has also filed a $6 million civil suit against Kemp in California, citing libel and slander, false light invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
    — Preezy Brown, VIBE.com, 29 Oct. 2026
Definition of libel
Noun
  • This dynamic drew criticism from readers — and, later, a response from Berry.
    — August Lamm, Washington Post, 8 Nov. 2026
  • Speaking in Spanish, Leo emphasized the importance of protecting family life and delivered a pointed criticism of both laws.
    — Carrie Kahn, NPR, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • The abuse included shooting him with a BB gun, burning his genitals and forcing him to eat cat feces.
    — Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • Surveys show that both Democrats and Republicans believe that sizable proportions of the other side favor wrongful imprisonment, tax fraud, embezzlement, adultery, animal abuse, and child pornography.
    — Paul Bloom, New Yorker, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of abuse
Noun
  • Israel might face its ultimate fear—losing the United States’ veto at the UN Security Council, which has protected its occupation since 1967 from international censure, even under critical Democratic presidents such as Jimmy Carter and Barack Obama.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Football—besides being one of our more ubiquitous and unrestrained national entertainments—has also become one of the rare arenas in American life where highly specialized language can flourish without censure.
    — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026
Definition of censure
Noun
  • The week before, following a win at Washington, Fleck was captured on camera smearing linebacker Maverick Baranowski's blood on his face.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026
  • This results in minor smearing or ghosting during some fast-moving scenes.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of smearing

Browse Nearby Words

character
character assassination
charactered
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Cite this Entry

“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 14 Nov. 2026.

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