as in libel
the use of personal attacks or insults in order to undermine an opponent
the campaign quickly degenerated into name-calling rather than an intelligent discussion of the issues
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of name-calling
Other concerning behaviors may include constant messaging, controlling actions, name-calling, threats, or refusing to respect your boundaries.
—
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verbal bullying can mean teasing, taunting, name-calling or threatening another child out loud or in writing.
—Dr. Mahvash Madni, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The overwhelming no vote, despite Republicans having a supermajority in the state Senate, capped off a bitter state fight for control that has spurred violent threats, doxxing incidents, nasty name-calling, and has changed the political landscape ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 12 Dec. 2025
Nasty name-calling, ill-mannered insults, and menacing mudslinging have been a part of American politics for centuries.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 9 Jan. 2026
Verbal bullying can mean teasing, taunting, name-calling or threatening another child out loud or in writing.
—Dr. Mahvash Madni, Boston Herald, 4 Jan. 2026
The overwhelming no vote, despite Republicans having a supermajority in the state Senate, capped off a bitter state fight for control that has spurred violent threats, doxxing incidents, nasty name-calling, and has changed the political landscape ahead of next year’s midterm elections.
—Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 12 Dec. 2025
Nasty name-calling, ill-mannered insults, and menacing mudslinging have been a part of American politics for centuries.
—Christopher Harris, CBS News, 21 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
-
The company accused Moore of libel.—
Drake Bentley,
jsonline.com,
5 Mar. 2026
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Sugar libel was snipped from both bills.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
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The censure document also states that in 2024, the Board sought to address Ko’s absences by updating its policy to reaffirm meeting importance and participation.—
Claire Murphy,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Mar. 2026
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Noem was the public face of that disapproval, strutting forward with arrogance in the face of public censure, a veritable clown show of ineptitude.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Noun
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The jury acquitted Contreras-Gafaro of nine additional charges, including theft in a range of $20,000 to $100,000, felony menacing, third-degree assault, child abuse, false imprisonment and criminal mischief, according to court records.—
Lauren Penington,
Denver Post,
16 Mar. 2026
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Overcrowding, abuse, and neglect have made conditions far worse, and basic agency oversight has been gutted.—
Jonathan Blitzer,
New Yorker,
15 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Ads largely were a mudslinging fest between Krishnamoorthi and Stratton.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
18 Mar. 2026
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Wu trounced Josh Kraft, a son of the billionaire New England Patriots and Kraft Group owner Robert Kraft, in last year’s mayoral race, after a contentious campaign filled with mudslinging on both sides.—
Gayla Cawley,
Boston Herald,
11 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 21 Mar. 2026.
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