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
Roberts brings a jolt of invigorating fury to one of the movie’s strongest scenes, in which the mentor rips into her mentee in public on a campus square with a fully detailed character assassination.
—
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
The Court should exercise its discretion to exclude the evidence set forth to avoid unfair character assassination and to ensure a fair trial on the merits.
—ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
The weird character assassination of Sharon Carter?
—Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 29 Aug. 2025
The Court should exercise its discretion to exclude the evidence set forth to avoid unfair character assassination and to ensure a fair trial on the merits.
—ArsTechnica, 25 Apr. 2025
The weird character assassination of Sharon Carter?
—Nola Pfau, Vulture, 17 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
Noun
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The Bhumjaithai party leader is staunch royalist who is firmly against any amendments to lese majeste, Thailand’s strict royal defamation law.—
Helen Regan,
CNN Money,
17 Feb. 2026
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The landlord has filed a defamation lawsuit against the tenants.—
CBS Chicago Team,
CBS News,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Second-year associate Babcock won the appeal, a landmark ruling that established qualified First Amendment privilege for reporters in civil libel cases.—
Brad Townsend,
Dallas Morning News,
19 Feb. 2026
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Kennedy's attorneys are claiming defamation both in the form of libel and slander, and are alleging civil conspiracy to make false accusations, along with assault, battery, and more.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
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After surveillance abuses in the 1960s — when federal agencies monitored Americans based on associations and viewpoints — public outrage forced new guardrails into law.—
Bob Shaw,
The Orlando Sentinel,
22 Feb. 2026
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Over centuries, the fascination with relics has of course led to abuses, with thefts, forgeries and now online sales all part of their history.—
Nicole Winfield,
Los Angeles Times,
22 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Kelly is suing the Pentagon to challenge its censure of him and its effort to reduce his rank because of his participation in the video.—
Dan Mangan,
CNBC,
11 Feb. 2026
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Across Europe, officials have had to resign or face censure after the Epstein files revealed relationships that were more extensive than previously disclosed.—
Jill Lawless,
Los Angeles Times,
9 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Their comments drew criticism from lawmakers in both parties, and the administration quickly backtracked.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
21 Feb. 2026
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For Schwartz, positive support from other businesses all over the country and across the political spectrum has kept him going through the criticism.—
Elisabeth Buchwald,
CNN Money,
21 Feb. 2026
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
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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