noun

1. A journalistic or other treatment which portrays its subject in a very unfavorable manner; a work of criticism which aims to destroy a reputation.

   “That article about the mayor is nothing more than a hatchet job.”

2. An action or a program which imposes deep reductions in expenditure.

   “This so-called reform of our wage agreement was really just one big hatchet job!”

Synonyms: calumniation, calumny, defamation, hit piece, obloquy, slam piece, traducement