as in attack dog
one who makes harsh, personal attacks against opponents
a local hot-button issue that has turned some normally mild-mannered neighbors into letter-writing mudslingers
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
Recent Examples of mudslinger
Social media platforms were a critical battleground during the campaign, with political mudslingers waging cyberwar with few legal constraints after the government failed to act on calls for a new law to protect democracy in the internet age.
—
Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2019
In 2010, when the group launched ahead of Barack Obama’s reelection campaign, Brock had imposed a set of self-regulations on the staff that would cultivate an air of respectability for the mudslingers.
—Gabriel Debenedetti, Daily Intelligencer, 20 May 2018
What must be almost the last charge of this decimated brigade of mudslingers approaches again, carrying with them like a Kathy Griffin icon the utter imbecility of the Steele accusations.
—Conrad Black, National Review, 11 Oct. 2017
If that lady is a 101-year-old movie legend, any would-be mudslingers best take care, her attorney said this week.
—Christie D'zurilla, latimes.com, 2 Sep. 2017
He isn’t known as a dogface solider boy or mudslinger in South Miami.
—Alex Butler, miamiherald, 28 Apr. 2017
Washington Post, 12 Dec. 2019
In 2010, when the group launched ahead of Barack Obama’s reelection campaign, Brock had imposed a set of self-regulations on the staff that would cultivate an air of respectability for the mudslingers.
—Gabriel Debenedetti, Daily Intelligencer, 20 May 2018
What must be almost the last charge of this decimated brigade of mudslingers approaches again, carrying with them like a Kathy Griffin icon the utter imbecility of the Steele accusations.
—Conrad Black, National Review, 11 Oct. 2017
If that lady is a 101-year-old movie legend, any would-be mudslingers best take care, her attorney said this week.
—Christie D'zurilla, latimes.com, 2 Sep. 2017
He isn’t known as a dogface solider boy or mudslinger in South Miami.
—Alex Butler, miamiherald, 28 Apr. 2017
Recent Examples of Synonyms for mudslinger
Noun
-
As vice president, Vance is expected to champion Trump’s agenda and serve as an attack dog when needed.—
Haley BeMiller,
The Enquirer,
2 July 2025
-
Pro bono is for those who are under attack, not the attack dog.—
Carrie Johnson,
NPR,
31 May 2025
Noun
-
Details of the species of shark involved were not released.—
Mark Price
Updated July 8,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
-
The waters along the South Cape and Islands, where recreational shark fishing for non-white shark species has historically occurred, are not included in the regulations.—
Rick Sobey,
Boston Herald,
7 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Mudslinger.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/mudslinger. Accessed 19 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share