McCarthyism
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.
the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.
Origin of McCarthyism
1Other words from McCarthyism
- Mc·Car·thy·ite, noun, adjective
Words Nearby McCarthyism
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use McCarthyism in a sentence
But if the Hagel hearings had exposed a virulent strain of American McCarthyism, who would play the role of McCarthy?
The alleged Neo-McCarthyism Avishai sees has these supposed pro-Israel bullies calling any critic of Israel an anti-Semite.
McCarthyism was the norm: a threat to democracy laid to rest by the legislative branch of the American government.
The NRA is certainly less of an evil than slavery, but is it really less ugly than McCarthyism?
The amendment has a curious backstory involving McCarthyism and hardball Texas politics.
‘Pulpit Freedom Sunday’ Pastors Don’t Care About Religious Freedom | David Sessions | October 7, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
British Dictionary definitions for McCarthyism
/ (məˈkɑːθɪˌɪzəm) /
the practice of making unsubstantiated accusations of disloyalty or Communist leanings
the use of unsupported accusations for any purpose
Origin of McCarthyism
1Derived forms of McCarthyism
- McCarthyite, noun, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Cultural definitions for McCarthyism
Notes for McCarthyism
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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