character assassination

noun

Definition of character assassinationnext
1
as in defamation
the making of false statements that damage another's reputation the actor's lawyers charge that the tabloid engaged in a deliberate campaign of character assassination

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in libel
the use of personal attacks or insults in order to undermine an opponent refused to resort to character assassination even if it meant losing his bid for governor

Synonyms & Similar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of character assassination Putting an exclamation point on that thought with a scene of Carol yelling at a group of joggers to get out of the way while listening to a self-motivation audiobook makes her character assassination feel heavy-handed this early on in the seven-episode run. — Andy Andersen, Vulture, 16 Mar. 2026 Liuzzo and Good suffered significant character assassination that their male partners-in-protest avoided. — Aniko Bodroghkozy, The Conversation, 24 Feb. 2026 This pattern of postmortem character assassination functions as a foundational tactic of modern autocracy. — Kyle Varner, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026 Cries of character assassination that the super smart Donnie would have to ask an AI algorithm for advice could be found all over Twitter. — Wilson Chapman, IndieWire, 11 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for character assassination
Recent Examples of Synonyms for character assassination
  1. defamation
  2. libel
  3. criticism
  4. abuse
  5. censure
  6. smearing
Noun
  • Kessler dismissed Nallasivan’s defamation claim as untimely and tossed out his blacklisting claim for lack of sufficient evidence.
    — Charlotte Observer, Charlotte Observer, 31 Aug. 2026
  • While the network agreed to a $15 million settlement in a defamation lawsuit brought by Trump in 2024, Zick said losing broadcast licenses would undoubtedly be more costly in the end.
    — BrieAnna J. Frank, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of defamation
Noun
  • Her 2009 memoir The Last Supper, about a summer spent in Italy, resulted in a libel suit.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
  • His contempt for the Jewish state of Israel will lead our city right into a libel suit worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
    — Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of libel
Noun
  • But the lobbyist has doubled down on her criticism of McCuskey in a recent letter to Illinois’ four top legislative leaders and obtained by the Tribune.
    — Jeremy Gorner, Chicago Tribune, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The sharpest criticism of the deal came from Venezuelan opposition figures, who argue that a caretaker administration installed after a foreign military operation has no standing to sign away a century of oil rights.
    — Nora Gámez Torres, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026
Definition of criticism
Noun
  • Before Saylor Hayes’ parents were arrested in connection with the 5-year-old girl’s death this week, the couple had been charged with child abuse and had a history of drug use, court documents show.
    — Marlene Lenthang, NBC news, 4 Sep. 2026
  • McManus, 50, was arrested and charged with misdemeanor child abuse, officials said.
    — Mark Price, Charlotte Observer, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of abuse
Noun
  • Edwards stood in the well of the House as the censure resolution was read.
    — Kevin Freking, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Following the vote, Speaker Mike Johnson asked Edwards to present himself in the well of the chamber as the censure resolution was read aloud.
    — John Parkinson, ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of censure
Noun
  • This results in minor smearing or ghosting during some fast-moving scenes.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 4 Aug. 2026
  • So far, several celebrities have been tied to the smearing.
    — Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 30 Apr. 2026
Definition of smearing

Browse Nearby Words

character
character assassination
charactered
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Cite this Entry

“Character assassination.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/character%20assassination. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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