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
Ads largely were a mudslinging fest between Krishnamoorthi and Stratton.
—
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
Wu trounced Josh Kraft, a son of the billionaire New England Patriots and Kraft Group owner Robert Kraft, in last year’s mayoral race, after a contentious campaign filled with mudslinging on both sides.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
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
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
Rachel Schilke, The Washington Examiner, 18 Mar. 2026
Wu trounced Josh Kraft, a son of the billionaire New England Patriots and Kraft Group owner Robert Kraft, in last year’s mayoral race, after a contentious campaign filled with mudslinging on both sides.
—Gayla Cawley, Boston Herald, 11 Mar. 2026
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
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
-
The company accused Moore of libel.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
-
Sugar libel was snipped from both bills.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The verbal dispute led to name-calling and an invitation to fight.—
Dale Denwalt,
Oklahoman,
5 Mar. 2026
-
But the response should not be hand-wringing or name-calling.—
Reardon Sullivan,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Without a trial, prosecutor Sarah Wendorf says there were many unanswered questions about Austin and Connie's claims of physical abuse.—
Peter Van Sant,
CBS News,
22 Mar. 2026
-
Former Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson previously said the city conducted an internal investigation after animal abuse allegations, adding that those would be addressed and staff changes would be made when appropriate, according to Post-Tribune archives.—
Maya Wilkins,
Chicago Tribune,
22 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mudslinging.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mudslinging. Accessed 24 Mar. 2026.
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