mudslinging

as in libel
the use of personal attacks or insults in order to undermine an opponent the ceaseless mudslinging merely convinced voters that neither candidate was worth voting for

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for mudslinging
Noun
  • The libel lawsuit was settled within weeks, CNN reported, with the website issuing a retraction and acknowledging that Kardashian had in fact been robbed at gunpoint.
    Christie D’Zurilla, Los Angeles Times, 12 May 2025
  • In December, Baldoni sued The New York Times for libel following the newspaper’s publication of an article detailing Lively’s accusations.
    Chloe Melas, NBC news, 10 May 2025
Noun
  • Red flags such as name-calling, humiliation, neglect, gaslighting, screaming or threatening to end the relationship can be swept under the rug.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
  • Congress is known not to shy away from theatrics and name-calling.
    Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The man, identified as Timothy Patrick Schulz, 42, had a long history of methamphetamine abuse and arrests, most recently being released from custody on May 20, Judd said.
    Bert Robinson, The Orlando Sentinel, 26 May 2025
  • The Department of Government Oversight and Efficiency has uncovered waste, fraud and abuse that is troubling, but not unexpected.
    Rita Numerof, Forbes.com, 26 May 2025
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.

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“Mudslinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mudslinging. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.

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