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

Youngkin’s “tip line” has not led to a new era of teacher McCarthyism.

From TIme

Anyone who demurred was hounded during the era of McCarthyism.

From Washington Post

Another propaganda tactic already being mobilized is the false accusations that pro-democracy voices are engaging in some sort of new McCarthyism.

From The Daily Beast

On the final day of the convention, he was forced out of the organization he started in fear that, at the height of McCarthyism, the movement and its members could become victims of his Communist past.

From Time

In 1949, as McCarthyism invaded Hollywood, Nancy met with Ronald Reagan, then head of the Screen Actors Guild, for advice on how to distinguish herself from an actress by the same name who had been blacklisted.

From Washington Post

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