as in attack dog
one who makes harsh, personal attacks against opponents
a local hot-button issue that has turned some normally mild-mannered neighbors into letter-writing mudslingers
Synonyms & Similar Words
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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
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of mudslinger
Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2019
In 2010, when the group launched ahead of Barack Obama’s reelection campaign, Brock had imposed a set of self-regulations on the staff that would cultivate an air of respectability for the mudslingers.
—Gabriel Debenedetti, Daily Intelligencer, 20 May 2018
What must be almost the last charge of this decimated brigade of mudslingers approaches again, carrying with them like a Kathy Griffin icon the utter imbecility of the Steele accusations.
—Conrad Black, National Review, 11 Oct. 2017
If that lady is a 101-year-old movie legend, any would-be mudslingers best take care, her attorney said this week.
—Christie D'zurilla, latimes.com, 2 Sep. 2017
He isn’t known as a dogface solider boy or mudslinger in South Miami.
—Alex Butler, miamiherald, 28 Apr. 2017
Terry Collins, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Mejia has criticized the donation, which already paid for a mudslinging ad against him.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
The film also contains archival footage of mudslinging and backbiting comments from several of the musicians about various members’ comings and goings.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
Social media platforms were a critical battleground during the campaign, with political mudslingers waging cyberwar with few legal constraints after the government failed to act on calls for a new law to protect democracy in the internet age.
—Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2019
In 2010, when the group launched ahead of Barack Obama’s reelection campaign, Brock had imposed a set of self-regulations on the staff that would cultivate an air of respectability for the mudslingers.
—Gabriel Debenedetti, Daily Intelligencer, 20 May 2018
What must be almost the last charge of this decimated brigade of mudslingers approaches again, carrying with them like a Kathy Griffin icon the utter imbecility of the Steele accusations.
—Conrad Black, National Review, 11 Oct. 2017
If that lady is a 101-year-old movie legend, any would-be mudslingers best take care, her attorney said this week.
—Christie D'zurilla, latimes.com, 2 Sep. 2017
He isn’t known as a dogface solider boy or mudslinger in South Miami.
—Alex Butler, miamiherald, 28 Apr. 2017
Noun
All the mudslinging debates and the millions of dollars spent on attack ads might not matter for the six – yes, six – Democratic candidates still vying to be the top official in this bellwether blue state.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 14 May 2026
Mejia has criticized the donation, which already paid for a mudslinging ad against him.
—Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2026
The film also contains archival footage of mudslinging and backbiting comments from several of the musicians about various members’ comings and goings.
—Kory Grow, Rolling Stone, 29 Apr. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mudslinger
Noun
-
After Trump won, Giuliani continued as his attack dog, even traveling to Ukraine to seek damaging information about Biden’s son Hunter.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Los Angeles Times,
4 May 2026
-
After Trump won, Giuliani continued as his attack dog, even traveling to Ukraine to seek damaging information about Biden’s son, Hunter.—
Michael R. Sisak,
Fortune,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Baldoni filed a libel lawsuit against the Times on December 31, 2024.—
Victoria Bekiempis,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
-
The judge also dismissed a libel suit Baldoni filed against the New York Times.—
Nicki Brown,
CNN Money,
4 May 2026
Noun
-
Justice Kagan has sometimes been viewed as a strategist rather than a polemicist, who tries to forge agreements with the Court’s more moderate conservative members.—
Jeannie Suk Gersen,
New Yorker,
2 May 2026
-
Whereas Schafer was a polemicist, wanting to impose his ideas onto society, Lockwood is interested in a personal symbiosis with nature, beginning with the humble belief that one is open to change.—
Joshua Minsoo Kim,
Pitchfork,
28 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Cofer noted that the evening was a forum, rather than a debate and that name-calling wasn’t allowed.—
Graham Womack,
Sacbee.com,
10 Apr. 2026
-
In the main saloon, Ellie asks for João’s advice on how to handle Ben’s name-calling.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
24 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The attack was Australia's first shark fatality since January, when a 12-year-old boy died in a hospital days after he was mauled by a bull shark in Sydney Harbor.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
18 May 2026
-
Also, beachgoers are urged to report shark sightings to the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy’s Sharktivity app.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
18 May 2026
Noun
-
These groups are specifically designed to help support people in relationships with those struggling with substance abuse.—
R. Eric Thomas,
Chicago Tribune,
17 May 2026
-
Constant changes and slow IRS guidance led to widespread confusion and, eventually, abuse that forced the IRS to put a moratorium on claims on September 14, 2023 until August 8, 2024.—
Medora Lee,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Mudslinger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mudslinger. Accessed 21 May. 2026.
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