McCarthyism

[ muh-kahr-thee-iz-uh m ]
/ məˈkɑr θiˌɪz əm /

noun

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.
the practice of making unfair allegations or using unfair investigative techniques, especially in order to restrict dissent or political criticism.

Origin of McCarthyism

1950, Americanism; after J. R. McCarthy; see -ism

OTHER WORDS FROM McCarthyism

Mc·Car·thy·ite, noun, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for mccarthyism

British Dictionary definitions for mccarthyism

McCarthyism
/ (məˈkɑːθɪˌɪzəm) /

noun mainly US

the practice of making unsubstantiated accusations of disloyalty or Communist leanings
the use of unsupported accusations for any purpose

Derived forms of McCarthyism

McCarthyite, noun, adjective

Word Origin for McCarthyism

C20: after Joseph McCarthy

Cultural definitions for mccarthyism

McCarthyism

The extreme opposition to communism shown by Senator Joseph R. McCarthy and his supporters in the 1940s and 1950s.

notes for McCarthyism

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.