witch hunt
/ˈwɪtʃ ˌhʌnt/
noun
- An organized effort to find and punish people who are accused of being witches, often based on false or unfair evidence.
- Historians study witch-hunts to understand how fear can spread through a community.
- The Salem witch-hunt led to the execution of many innocent people.
- The village was gripped by a witch-hunt that tore families apart.
- A campaign to harass or punish people with unpopular or different opinions, often using unfair methods.
- The politician claimed the investigation was a witch-hunt against him.
- Some journalists say the media is conducting a witch-hunt against the company's CEO.
- The committee's inquiry turned into a witch-hunt, targeting anyone who disagreed.