witch-hunt

== English == === Alternative forms === witchhunt, witch hunt === Etymology === From witch +‎ hunt. === Pronunciation === (UK) IPA(key): /ˈwɪtʃhʌnt/ === Noun === witch-hunt (plural witch-hunts) (now chiefly historical) A search for people believed to be using sorcery or harmful magic, typically in order to persecute or punish them. (by extension) An attempt to find and punish or harass a group of people perceived as a threat, usually on ideological or political grounds. (by extension) A public or political campaign or investigation which smears a person or group. 2016 May 15, Donald Trump, tweet quoted in 2019, Lindy West, The Witches Are Coming, Hachette Books (→ISBN) The media is really on a witch-hunt against me. False reporting, and plenty of it - but we will prevail! ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === witch-hunt (third-person singular simple present witch-hunts, present participle witch-hunting, simple past and past participle witch-hunted) (informal) To perform a witch-hunt. === See also ===