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
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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
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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
-
During the defamation trial, relatives of victims described threats and harassment from Jones’s followers who believed the claims.—
Jenna Sundel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
10 Oct. 2025
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Ciattarelli denied the claim and vowed to file a defamation lawsuit, according to reports.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
10 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Harry has twice sued Associated Newspapers for libel, winning one case and withdrawing the other, while his wife Meghan has also won a privacy lawsuit against the publisher.—
Michael Holden,
USA Today,
2 Oct. 2025
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The country also still lacks a freedom of information act, and libel remains a criminal offense.—
Ashish Valentine,
NPR,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
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McCrary's former partner cited concerns about the child's safety in his care, and the court ordered him to have monitored visitation and to attend classes on parenting and for drug and alcohol abuse and batterer intervention, PEOPLE reported.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Oct. 2025
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McCrary was ordered to attend alcohol and drug abuse and batterers’ intervention classes within 12 months and was granted visits with their daughter.—
Lori A Bashian,
FOXNews.com,
11 Oct. 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
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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
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Black inks for the same printers tend to have less obvious smearing than the color ink, and many smear just enough to see a smudge, without harming readability.—
PC Magazine,
PC Magazine,
30 Sep. 2025
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If the smearing continues, look for a position elsewhere.—
Rolling Stone Culture Council,
Rolling Stone,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Trump’s administration was right to send an emissary after ICE’s Hyundai raid to express regret and negotiate a new business visa process for South Koreans, despite criticism from the more anti-immigrant MAGA base.—
Eleanor Pringle,
Fortune,
10 Oct. 2025
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Rimes has described experiencing cycles of praise and harsh criticism — both as a child star and during her affair with Cibrian.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.
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