smear campaign

noun

1. a campaign to tarnish the reputation of a public figure, especially by vilification or innuendo.

Idioms and Phrases

An attempt to ruin a reputation by slander or vilification, as in This press agent is well known for starting smear campaigns against her clients' major competitors. This phrase was first recorded in 1938 and uses smear in the sense of “an attempt to discredit” or “slander.”

Example Sentences

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed the story as a smear campaign.

From Salon

Albanese has been a prominent critic of Israel's military offensive in Gaza, and has been subject to sanctions imposed by the US in July - a decision welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who called them a "firm measure against the mendacious smear campaign" against Israel.

From BBC

They also claimed the remark was "taken out of all context" and that they were victims of a smear campaign due to their stance on Gaza.

From BBC

Meanwhile, Israeli PM Netanyahu welcomed the decision, calling it a "firm measure against the mendacious smear campaign against" Israel.

From BBC

In her claim, Crowley alleges Bass and her subordinates have conducted a “public smear campaign aimed at discrediting Crowley’s character and decades of service,” following her dismissal.

From Los Angeles Times