smear campaign

NOUN

attempt to defame another

Synonyms

WEAK

character assassination defamation defamation of character dirty politics dirty pool dragging one's name through the mud injury of reputation malicious defamation mudslinging negative campaign negative campaigning personal attack slander whispering campaign

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Earlier this year, former FDA Commissioner Marty Makary defended the FDA’s decision to reject RP1 and personally backed Prasad, accusing the media of running a smear campaign against him.

From Barron's • May 29, 2026

An online smear campaign last month engulfed another Southern California mosque.

From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026

People who remember that internet smear campaign related to the Lanez case know why.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

“But I think that’s a lie,” she says, briskly brushing off the stories as a smear campaign concocted by Otso’s enemies.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 16, 2026

Murky, speculative stuff, a smear campaign on a dead woman.

From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins

smear campaign

Example Sentences

Related Words