opposition research

[ op-uh-zish-uhn ree-surch ]

noun

1. the collection of information on the background, activities, etc., of one’s opponent or opponents in an effort to uncover damaging details that will undermine them.

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposition research¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

The Trump camp had no opposition research about Harris.

From Los Angeles Times

Durham found flaws in how the FBI decided to launch its investigation, its use of unsubstantiated, Democratic-funded opposition research in doing so, and its process for obtaining court authorities to surveil a low-level Trump advisor.

From Los Angeles Times

Vance was chosen to join the Republican presidential ticket after the Trump campaign compiled a 271-page opposition research dossier that has now reportedly been obtained by hackers, who have apparently unsuccessfully attempted to leak the dossier to news outlets including the New York Times and Politico for publication.

From Salon

Opposition research from the National Republican Senatorial Committee, provided to reporters on Monday, includes bullet points that try to paint Harris as “weird,” the evidence including that she laughs at “inappropriate” times and likes Venn diagrams.

From Salon

Trump campaign sources have told US media outlets that they were readying attack ads and opposition research in case they faced her.

From BBC