McCarthyism

[ muh-kahr-thee-iz-uhm ]

noun

1. the practice of making accusations of disloyalty, especially of pro-Communist activity, in many instances unsupported by proof or based on slight, doubtful, or irrelevant evidence.
2. the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.

McCarthyism

/ məˈkɑːθɪˌɪzəm /

noun

1. the practice of making unsubstantiated accusations of disloyalty or Communist leanings
2. the use of unsupported accusations for any purpose

McCarthyism

1. The extreme opposition to communism shown by Senator Joseph R. McCarthy and his supporters in the 1940s and 1950s.

Notes

McCarthyism has become a general term for the hysterical investigation of a government's opponents or the publicizing of accusations against these opponents without sufficient evidence to support the charges.

Derived Forms

• McˈCarthyite, nounadjective

Other Words From

• Mc·Carthy·ite noun adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of McCarthyism¹

1950, Americanism; after J. R. McCarthy; -ism

Word History and Origins

Origin of McCarthyism¹

C20: after Joseph McCarthy

Example Sentences

But if the Hagel hearings had exposed a virulent strain of American McCarthyism, who would play the role of McCarthy?

From The Daily Beast

The alleged Neo-McCarthyism Avishai sees has these supposed pro-Israel bullies calling any critic of Israel an anti-Semite.

From The Daily Beast

McCarthyism was the norm: a threat to democracy laid to rest by the legislative branch of the American government.

From The Daily Beast

The NRA is certainly less of an evil than slavery, but is it really less ugly than McCarthyism?

From The Daily Beast

The amendment has a curious backstory involving McCarthyism and hardball Texas politics.

From The Daily Beast