mccarthyism Definition
- 1the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence
- 2the use of unfair investigatory or accusatory methods in order to suppress opposition
Using mccarthyism: Examples
Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "mccarthyism" can be used in various situations through the following examples!
Example
The fear of communism led to a period of McCarthyism in the United States.
Example
Many people were falsely accused and lost their jobs during the McCarthy era.
Example
The senator's tactics were widely criticized as examples of McCarthyism.
Example
The Hollywood blacklist was a result of McCarthyism.
mccarthyism Synonyms and Antonyms
Synonyms for mccarthyism
- intimidation
- harassment
- witch hunt
- red-baiting
- persecution
Phrases with mccarthyism
McCarthy era
a period of time in the United States during the 1950s characterized by intense anti-communist suspicion and persecution
Example
Many people lost their jobs during the McCarthy era.
McCarthyite tactics
unfair investigatory or accusatory methods used to suppress opposition
Example
The senator's McCarthyite tactics were widely criticized.
McCarthyist
a person who engages in McCarthyism
Example
He was accused of being a McCarthyist.
Origins of mccarthyism
named after US Senator Joseph McCarthy, who led a campaign to expose alleged communists in the US government in the 1950s
Summary: mccarthyism in Brief
The term 'McCarthyism' [məˈkɑrθiˌɪzəm] refers to the practice of making accusations of subversion or treason without proper regard for evidence, often using unfair investigatory or accusatory methods to suppress opposition. It is named after US Senator Joseph McCarthy, who led a campaign to expose alleged communists in the US government in the 1950s. The term is often associated with the Hollywood blacklist and the loss of jobs for many people during the McCarthy era.
