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
  • After The New York Times ran an investigative story looking into Lively's claims, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against the outlet, alleging libel, which The New York Times denied.
    Ingrid Vasquez, People.com, 10 June 2025
  • On New Year’s Eve, Lively formally sued Baldoni, who simultaneously filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times.
    Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 7 May 2025
Noun
  • Many, particularly supporters of President Donald Trump, responded with outrage or worse, devolving into name-calling.
    Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
  • And an additional 37% reported verbal assaults, threats, and name-calling.
    Noelle Alviz-Gransee, Kansas City Star, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • Court papers say the defendant, Farrukh Ali, conspired with at least 41 substance abuse clinics to bill the state for hundreds of millions of dollars for substance abuse services that were never provided, not provided as billed or were medically unnecessary.
    Ryan Lucas, NPR, 30 June 2025
  • President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans say the bill would cut waste, fraud and abuse from Medicaid, providing coverage only to those who truly need it.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 30 June 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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Cite this Entry

“Mudslinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mudslinging. Accessed 15 Jul. 2025.

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