character assassination

American  

noun

1. a slandering attack, especially one intended to damage the reputation of a public or political figure.

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character assassination British  

noun

1. the act of deliberately attempting to destroy a person's reputation by defamatory remarks

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Etymology

Origin of character assassination

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

“Feeding frenzy” and “character assassination” were terms tossed about later, but with Joanna MIA and the investigation continuing, very little concern was expressed for Mr. Jefferies.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lawyers acting for Dean's mother have said the document appears to be a "character assassination" of both him and his family, to keep Pierce beyond reproach.

From BBC

It was a full-blooded attempt at character assassination, a branding of Rodgers as untrustful, a perpetrator of untruths, a spreader of falsehoods; divisive, misleading and unacceptable.

From BBC

When stories like this come out in the news, it can become a character assassination.

From Salon

But while Knox’s character assassination dominated the news, Americans didn’t hear much about Guede.

From Salon