Dirty politics, also referred to as negative campaigning, is a term used to describe tactics used by political candidates to discredit their opponents. The use of dirty politics has become increasingly common in modern-day politics, and it doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon. While the phrase "dirty politics" may be the most common term used to describe these tactics, there are several other synonyms that are just as fitting. Some of the most popular synonyms for dirty politics include smear campaigns, mudslinging, character assassination, defamation, and negative advertising. Regardless of the term used, the goal of these tactics is to damage the reputation of the opposing candidate and gain an edge in the race.