character assassination

IPA/ˈkærəktər əsæsɪneɪʃn/
IPA/ˈkærəktər əsæsɪneɪʃn/

character assassination — noun

1. a deliberate public attack that tries to make people think badly of someone by s

1.nounC1
Definition

a deliberate public attack that tries to make people think badly of someone by spreading harsh, often unfair claims about them.

Example

After the interview, a rival blog began a character assassination of the new coach.

begin a character assassination of [person]

The senator called the late-night ad a cruel character assassination.

call something a character assassination

Common collocations
  • launch a character assassination
  • a campaign of character assassination
  • accuse someone of character assassination
  • amount to character assassination
  • character assassination in the press
Synonyms
  • smear campaign

    often wider and more organized, using repeated messages across media

  • mudslinging

    more informal; often suggests both sides are trading ugly personal attacks

  • slander

    broader and more legal; focuses on false damaging statements

  • hatchet job

    informal; often used for a very unfair article, review, or interview

Antonyms
  • fair criticism

    negative comments based on evidence rather than personal smears

  • balanced reporting

    coverage that presents claims carefully instead of trying to ruin someone

Grammar Patterns

launch a character assassination

character assassination of + person

amount to character assassination

Usage Note

Usually used for attacks on a person's honesty or motives in politics, the media, or workplace disputes. It suggests a deliberate attempt to damage the person rather than fair criticism of one decision or policy.

Common Mistakes

The article criticised her tax plan, so it was character assassination.
The article accused her of lying and cheating, so it was character assassination.
the phrase is about attacking a person's reputation, not simply disagreeing with one idea.
They launched a character murder against the judge.
They launched a character assassination against the judge.
English uses the fixed phrase 'character assassination'.

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

'Character assassination' is stronger than 'smear campaign' and usually focuses on ruining how the public sees one person, especially by making them seem dishonest or immoral. A 'smear campaign' is often broader and more organized, using ads, rumors, or repeated talking points over time. 'Mudslinging' is more informal and often suggests that both sides in a political fight are throwing personal insults. 'Slander' is broader and more legal, because it means making false damaging spoken statements whether or not there is a public campaign. A 'hatchet job' is informal and often refers to a savage article, review, or interview. If a TV ad tries to destroy a candidate's public image, 'character assassination' is the clearest choice.

character assassination ↗smear campaignmudslingingslander ↗hatchet job

Etymology

First known use

1822

1822, in the meaning defined above