redbaits

/ˈrɛdˌbeɪts/
verb
  1. To attack, harass, or accuse someone of being a communist or having communist sympathies, often unfairly.
    • The journalist was redbaited for suggesting a more equal distribution of wealth.
    • Some groups still redbaits activists today, calling them communists for supporting social programs.
    • During the Cold War, politicians would often redbaits their opponents to ruin their careers.
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