opposition research

[op-uh-zish-uhn ree-surch]

noun

1. the collection of information on the background, activities, etc., of one’s opponent or opponents in an effort to uncover damaging details that will undermine them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposition research¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

“There were lots of ups and downs,” concurs Nicole Landset Blank, a political opposition research pro turned book researcher who is seated at the very same table in Pianko’s backyard where the team figured out the perpetrator of a double homicide.

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Yes, it’s Oscar season, where the road to the red carpet is often littered with unforced errors, smear campaigns, opposition research and sometimes dirty tricks in efforts to undermine if not outright torpedo the frontrunners’ chances.

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The Trump camp had no opposition research about Harris.

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Durham found flaws in how the FBI decided to launch its investigation, its use of unsubstantiated, Democratic-funded opposition research in doing so, and its process for obtaining court authorities to surveil a low-level Trump advisor.

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Vance was chosen to join the Republican presidential ticket after the Trump campaign compiled a 271-page opposition research dossier that has now reportedly been obtained by hackers, who have apparently unsuccessfully attempted to leak the dossier to news outlets including the New York Times and Politico for publication.

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