McCarthyism
noun
Mc·Car·thy·ism
mə-ˈkär-thē-ˌi-zəm 
also -ˈkär-tē-
: a mid-20th century political attitude characterized chiefly by opposition to elements held to be subversive and by the use of tactics involving personal attacks on individuals by means of widely publicized indiscriminate allegations especially on the basis of unsubstantiated charges
broadly
: defamation of character or reputation through such tactics
Examples of McCarthyism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
But its juiciest political battles are fought in the 1950s, at the height of McCarthyism, an era of brazen opportunism and fear-mongering that still permeates American electoral politics.
—
Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024
My Autobiography, Charles Chaplin (1964) Screen legend Charlie Chaplin wrote his first memoir, My Autobiography, a decade after he was forced to flee the U.S. to Switzerland at the height of McCarthyism.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 15 July 2024
In that Cold War era of McCarthyism, Bohm was brought before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC).
—Sidney Perkowitz, JSTOR Daily, 5 June 2024
Others will grow out of them and regret their youthful indiscretions but will be hurt because in their future careers, as former Communists were during McCarthyism.
—Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for McCarthyism 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 6 Aug. 2024
My Autobiography, Charles Chaplin (1964) Screen legend Charlie Chaplin wrote his first memoir, My Autobiography, a decade after he was forced to flee the U.S. to Switzerland at the height of McCarthyism.
—Shannon Carlin, TIME, 15 July 2024
In that Cold War era of McCarthyism, Bohm was brought before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC).
—Sidney Perkowitz, JSTOR Daily, 5 June 2024
Others will grow out of them and regret their youthful indiscretions but will be hurt because in their future careers, as former Communists were during McCarthyism.
—Alan M. Dershowitz, New York Daily News, 8 Feb. 2024
See all Example Sentences for McCarthyism
Dictionary Entries Near McCarthyism
Cite this Entry
“McCarthyism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/McCarthyism. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share