personal attack

NOUN

character assassination

Synonyms

WEAK

ad hominem blackening dirty politics dirty pool dirty tricks hatchet job muckraking mudslinging name-calling slanderous attack smear smear campaign

NOUN

smear campaign

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 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.

Mr. Mamdani provoked it by using a malicious, personal attack to promote his pied-à-terre tax.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 7, 2026

Ofcom said his remarks "constituted a highly personal attack on Ms Evans and were potentially highly offensive to viewers".

From BBC • Mar. 4, 2024

“That was just such a personal attack, to attack where my parents were raised,” she said, stifling tears.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 15, 2023

But those who ran unsuccessfully could be forgiven for seeing Hersey’s quip as a personal attack.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 15, 2023

There were many letters in the Odessa American, but none made a more personal attack than this one.

From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger

personal attack

Example Sentences

Related Words