CHARACTER ASSASSINATIONS Synonyms: 68 Similar and Opposite Words

character assassination

noun

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 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 Cries of character assassination that the super smart Donnie would have to ask an AI algorithm for advice could be found all over Twitter. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025 Fending off a character assassination? — Usa Today, USA Today, 4 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for character assassination

Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination

Noun

In June, a federal judge ordered Baldoni and his production company to pay Lively’s attorney fees related to his unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against her, but rejected her bid for additional damages.

— Emily St. Martin, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Baldoni accused Lively, her husband, Ryan Reynolds, the couple's publicist, Leslie Sloane, and others of extortion and defamation, among other claims.

— ABC News, ABC News, 9 July 2026

Definition of defamation

Noun

In 2022, Harry also sued Associated Newspapers for libel over an article concerning his lawsuit against the government.

— K.J. Yossman, Variety, 7 July 2026
Top United Nations official Vanessa Frazier is facing a furious backlash after spreading a sick, fake-news blood libel against Israel on social media.

— Staff, FOXNews.com, 2 July 2026

Definition of libel

Noun

The latest appearance will do little to quell criticism of Infantino, who is standing currently unopposed for re-election as FIFA president.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 18 July 2026
On top of that, Saka downplayed all the criticisms of Tuchel coming into Saturday’s match.

— Jacob Lev, CNN Money, 18 July 2026

Definition of criticism

Noun

Formerly incarcerated people with disabilities, chronic mental health or substance abuse issues and those who are older tend to be at higher risk for post-incarceration homelessness, Western said.

— Amber Gaudet July 18, Charlotte Observer, 18 July 2026
That honest job has, across four generations, fed prime ministers and paupers, cooked for the King and Queen, and quietly funded a one-man legal aid service for survivors of abuse.

— Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

After the censure on Monday, Hulsey again tried to exclude the city administrator from council business when the governing body went into executive session.

— Rachel Royster July 8, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 July 2026
The escalation should start with a warning from the chair, followed by a motion of the board of censure (asking the owner to quiet down), followed by a motion to eject the offending owner from the meeting.

— Kelly G. Richardson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 July 2026

Definition of censure

Noun

So far, several celebrities have been tied to the smearing.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Whereas the initial narrowband signal might have a strong power across just a few frequencies, the smearing spreads that power across more frequencies, reducing the strength of the signal.

— Keith Cooper, Space.com, 8 Mar. 2026

Definition of smearing

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character

character assassination

charactered

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

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Synonyms of character assassination

noun

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