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 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
  1. defamation
  2. libel
  3. criticism
  4. abuse
  5. censure
  6. smearing
Noun
  • Conservative filmmaker Dinesh D’Souza has settled a defamation lawsuit filed by a Gwinnett County man in 2022, avoiding a trial that was set to begin Monday in federal court in Atlanta.
    — Caleb Groves, AJC.com, 18 Aug. 2026
  • While legal protections exist, like the TAKE IT DOWN Act and defamation claims, they are often poorly enforced, arrive too late, and face challenges from Big Tech.
    — Allyson Kapin, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of defamation
Noun
  • His contempt for the Jewish state of Israel will lead our city right into a libel suit worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
  • In response, Baldoni — and nine other plaintiffs, including publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel — sued the newspaper for libel and false light invasion of privacy, among other claims, over the article, and sought $250 million in damages.
    — Charisma Madarang, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026
Definition of libel
Noun
  • The justice ministry rejected the criticism, saying the proceedings complied with Syrian law and included the participation of victims and their representatives.
    — Paula Hancocks, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2026
  • The documentary spotlighted some harsh criticisms of the show and of Banks.
    — Gene Maddaus, Variety, 15 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • The Institute for Justice, a nonprofit law firm specializing in civil liberties cases, identified over 100 incidents of automatic license plate reader abuse, including stalking and wrongful stops.
    — Charlie De Mar, CBS News, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Fazio said his administration would look closely into key positions that necessitate work be performed in-office and on-site, such as social workers responsible for monitoring child abuse cases.
    — Keith M. Phaneuf, Hartford Courant, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of abuse
Noun
  • While that censure failed, the recall effort is still pending.
    — Olivia Young, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026
  • Whether Tlaib is motivated by animus toward Moskowitz and Wasserman Schultz for their censure votes and condemnations of her rhetoric, or by support for their progressive opponents Larkin and Manley — or a combination — is unknown.
    — Anthony Man, Sun Sentinel, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of censure
Noun
  • This results in minor smearing or ghosting during some fast-moving scenes.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • So far, several celebrities have been tied to the smearing.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 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 21 Aug. 2026.

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