noun
- false or defamatory stories published for political effect, especially during an election campaign
Usage: political; historical
Examples
- The newspaper was accused of spreading roorbacks about the candidate.
- Political opponents often resort to roorbacks when they lack substantive arguments.
- The campaign manager warned against believing the roorbacks circulating online.
- Historians noted that roorbacks were common in 19th-century American politics.
- The journalist refused to publish roorbacks despite pressure from party officials.
- Voters grew tired of the constant roorbacks during the election season.