witch hunt

Or witch-hunt

[wich-huhnt]

noun

1. (in historical use) the investigation, trial, and punishment of alleged practitioners of witchcraft.

2. an intensive inquiry, originally or purportedly to discover and expose dishonesty, subversion, or other wrongdoing, the scope and conclusions of which often include and bring harm to innocent persons or their reputations through reliance on hearsay or circumstantial evidence.

verb (used with object)

1. to subject to a witch hunt.

   The defendant claimed he was being witch-hunted due to his political activism.

witch-hunt

noun

1. a rigorous campaign to round up or expose dissenters on the pretext of safeguarding the welfare of the public

Other Word Forms

• witch hunter noun
• witch-hunting noun
• witch-hunter noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of witch hunt¹

First recorded in 1885–90 witch hunt for def. 1; in 1935–40 witch hunt for def. 2; and in 1945–50 witch hunt for def. 3; the gerund witch-hunting was first recorded in 1635–40

Example Sentences

“Good Night, and Good Luck,” a deft stage translation of the movie chronicling CBS newsman Murrow’s heroic stand against Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s communist witch-hunt, may not have made the playwriting cut.

From Los Angeles Times

He has repeatedly denied coup allegations and accused his opponents of a political witch-hunt.

From BBC

Trump has, so far, been defending his national security team and doesn't seem inclined to sack anyone over what he is calling a press "witch-hunt".

From BBC

At the time, Rubiales said the kiss had been consensual and denounced a so-called witch-hunt by "fake feminism," before resigning from his position.

From BBC

After initially remaining defiant and denouncing a witch-hunt driven by "fake feminism", the federation president eventually resigned, before legal charges were brought against him.

From BBC