political smear
Opponent's dirty trick
A political smear is a false or misleading attack on a candidate or public figure, designed to damage their reputation rather than address policy: The ad was dismissed as a political smear.
Smear campaigns spread damaging information—true, exaggerated, or fabricated—through media, advertising, or whisper networks.
The term implies the attack is unfair or underhanded, though accusers and accused often disagree on what qualifies.
- mudslingingMalicious personal attacks
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- defamationFalse statements harming reputation
- dirtLoose dry earth
- dirty laundryEmbarrassing private matters
scandal · October surprise · opponent · campaign · scorched earth · accusation · whisper campaign · planted story · negative · tabloid · media circus · leak · propaganda · dog whistle · character assassination · rumor · dirty tricks · hit piece
political smearpolicy debate
Competitive two-on-two argumentation
fair coverage · balanced reporting · due diligence · investigative journalism
political smearcivil discourse
Respectful exchange of views
bridge-building · reaching across the aisle · coalition-building · statesmanship
political smearendorsement
Formal expression of support
praise · commendation · tribute · vindication · defense
political, politic, politics, politically, politicize, politicized, politicization, polity, policy