Smear campaign

For the Napalm Death album, see Smear Campaign (album). For the cover of "Elected" under the name "Mr Bean & Smear Campaign", see Elected (song) § Cover versions.
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A smear campaign, also referred to as a smear tactic or simply a smear, is an effort to damage or call into question someone's reputation, by propounding negative propaganda.[1] It makes use of discrediting tactics. It can be applied to individuals or groups. Common targets are public officials, politicians, political candidates, activists, and ex-spouses. The term also applies in other contexts, such as the workplace.[2] The term smear campaign became popular around 1936.[3]

  1. ^ "SMEAR CAMPAIGN | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary". dictionary.cambridge.org. Retrieved 2020-10-20.
  2. ^ Jay C. Thomas, Michel Hersen (2002) Handbook of Mental Health in the Workplace
  3. ^ "Google Ngram Viewer". books.google.com.