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
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Trump has repeatedly denied writing the letter and sued the Wall Street Journal, which was first to report on the letter, for defamation.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
9 Sep. 2025
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Trump has repeatedly denied writing any such letter and is suing the Journal’s parent company, publisher, reporters and owner Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion in a defamation lawsuit filed in the Southern District of Florida.—
Emily Goodin,
Miami Herald,
8 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
Falwell sued for invasion of privacy, libel and intentional infliction of emotional distress.—
BrieAnna J. Frank,
USA Today,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Harper denied the allegations, and Huizenga filed a libel lawsuit against the former contestant.—
Emily Blackwood,
People.com,
23 Aug. 2025
Noun
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The agents had been following leads from an anti-trafficking organization, the Coalition of Immokalee Workers, that in 2015 had uncovered the abuses of harvesters at an onion farm near Vidalia.—
ProPublica,
ProPublica,
13 Sep. 2025
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California officials are trying to kill the fossil fuel industry in the state while simultaneously seeking a buyer for Valero Energy’s Benicia refinery near San Francisco, which is scheduled to close in April because the company no longer wants to deal with the abuse from Sacramento.—
Kerry Jackson,
Oc Register,
13 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Walsh is seeking both a public censure and the judge’s removal from the bench.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
9 Sep. 2025
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The censure resolution stated that McIver is alleged to have slammed her forearm into the body of an HSI officer, in addition to forcibly grabbing the officer.—
Jenna Sundel
Jason Lemon,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Among Democrats, criticism has grown louder as the war becomes deeply unpopular with the party base.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
12 Sep. 2025
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But the Cowboys, who gave out big extensions to wide receiver CeeDee Lamb and quarterback Dak Prescott, couldn't come to terms with him on a new deal, which led to Jones receiving plenty of criticism.—
Robert Marvi,
MSNBC Newsweek,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.
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