character assassinations
Deliberate credibility destruction
Character assassinations are deliberate attacks on someone's reputation through spreading damaging information, whether true, distorted, or fabricated.
The term frames reputation destruction as a kind of murder—the person survives, but their public standing is killed.
Political campaigns and workplace rivalries often feature character assassinations: The article was pure character assassination, dredging up decades-old mistakes.
- besmirchmentAct of damaging reputation
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- libelPrinted defamation
- calumnyMalicious false statement
- smearSpread or defame
discredit · mudslinging · hit piece · defamation · smear campaign · dirty tricks · witch hunts · misinformation · public shaming · propaganda · trial by media · hatchet job · aspersions · reputational damage · denigration · vilification · tarnishing · personal attacks
character assassinationspraise
Expression of approval
eulogies · commendations · accolades · tributes · testimonials
character assassinationspublic support
Citizenry's expressed approval
character witness · vouching · advocacy · championing · exonerations
character, assassination, characters, assassinations, assassin, assassins, assassinate, assassinated, assassinating