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

Derived Forms

• ˈwitch-ˌhunting, nounadjective
• ˈwitch-ˌhunter, noun

Other Words From

• witch hunter noun
• witch-hunting adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of witch hunt¹

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

Example Sentences

“It’s a witch hunt,” she said.

From Los Angeles Times

Gaetz regularly appears on TV accusing Garland and Smith of engaging in a witch hunt against Trump and attempting to interfere with his reelection.

From Slate

He described the defendant as “a victim of a media witch hunt” and said the case had been “politicised”.

From BBC

He says Mr Smith has subjected him to a "political witch hunt".

From BBC

Margaret Jones, the first woman executed for witchcraft in the Massachusetts Bay Colony during New England’s 200-year witch hunt, opens the menu, which comes with a 20-page graphic novel.

From Salon