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
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Recent Examples of mudslinging
Now, with early voting for the March 3 primary set to start next week, the mudslinging in both races is expected to soar, according to insiders with both parties watching with skittishness from Texas and Washington.
—
Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Nasty name-calling, ill-mannered insults, and menacing mudslinging have been a part of American politics for centuries.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Censure resolutions, a once-rare reprimand for serious misdemeanors committed by House members, are now a common tactic used in mudslinging and squabbles both within the same party and against the opposing party.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2025
Less than two years after their wedding, Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties, amidst a bevy of allegations, mudslinging and familial tension.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is calling on mayoral rival Andrew Cuomo to release a list of his consulting clients, even trying to tie Cuomo to Jeffery Epstein in a new video as mudslinging between the candidates ramps up.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
Philip Elliott, Time, 10 Feb. 2026
Nasty name-calling, ill-mannered insults, and menacing mudslinging have been a part of American politics for centuries.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
Censure resolutions, a once-rare reprimand for serious misdemeanors committed by House members, are now a common tactic used in mudslinging and squabbles both within the same party and against the opposing party.
—Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 21 Nov. 2025
Less than two years after their wedding, Harry and Meghan stepped down from their royal duties, amidst a bevy of allegations, mudslinging and familial tension.
—Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani is calling on mayoral rival Andrew Cuomo to release a list of his consulting clients, even trying to tie Cuomo to Jeffery Epstein in a new video as mudslinging between the candidates ramps up.
—Josephine Stratman, New York Daily News, 12 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mudslinging
Noun
-
Sugar libel was snipped from both bills.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
-
Ohiku's complaint accused the defendants, including Kohlheim, City Clerk Jim Owczarski and Common Council President José Pérez, of libel, slander and negligent supervision.—
Vanessa Swales,
jsonline.com,
24 Feb. 2026
Noun
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But the response should not be hand-wringing or name-calling.—
Reardon Sullivan,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
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The congressman accused Bondi of name-calling and failing to provide accountability for the Justice Department.—
Terry Collins,
USA Today,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
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A lot of these soldiers have high divorce rates, high amounts of alcoholism and abuse of pharmaceuticals.—
William Earl,
Variety,
1 Mar. 2026
-
Fake tax preparers and PTIN abuse Another trend in 2026 involves tax preparer credentials.—
Ken Colburn,
AZCentral.com,
1 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mudslinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mudslinging. Accessed 3 Mar. 2026.
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