Internet
witch hunt
What does witch hunt mean?
On Reddit specifically, a coordinated campaign to identify, dox, or mass-downvote/harass an individual user — usually after they did something the mob considers heinous. Site rules ban it outright, which is why drama subs scrub usernames from screenshots.
"Mods locked it before it turned into a full witch hunt against OP's ex."
Origin
Old English idiom (literal witch trials → McCarthyism → online) repurposed by Reddit's site-wide rule against 'witch hunts' — coordinated pile-ons targeting a named user.
Frequently asked questions
What does "witch hunt" mean online?
It's a mob effort to name, shame and harass a specific user.
How do you use "witch hunt" in a sentence?
"Mods locked the thread to stop it turning into a witch hunt."
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