body-shaming
noun
body-sham·ing
ˈbä-dē-ˌshā-miŋ 
variants
or body shaming
: the act or practice of subjecting someone to criticism or mockery for supposed bodily faults or imperfections
Far from being isolated incidents, these jokes … only highlight the fact that body-shaming is very much a problem among men as well as women, with public figures deemed "fair game" when it comes to criticisms of their appearance.—
Philip Ellis
Philip Ellis
body-shaming
adjective
body-shaming comments
body-shaming bullies
Examples of body-shaming in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Social media is a complex environment that presents both opportunities and threats for adolescents, with self-expression and emotional support on the one hand and body-shaming, cyberbullying and addictive behaviors on the other.
—Abdulmalik Alluhidan, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
Deftly avoiding body-shaming that could’ve made Kung Fu Panda’s premise into a parade of fat jokes, the film instead weaves a striking tale of self-worth and positivity, wrapped in an aesthetic that’s very respectful and faithful to the history of martial-arts films and Chinese culture.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
The 27-year-old’s Instagram has now been flooded with criticism, however, after Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet produced a report on widespread bullying and body-shaming at Djerf Avenue.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024
Knightly's example demonstrates the pendulum swing of body-shaming.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
When body image woes come wrapped in a bow
Giving a fitness gift this holiday season can come across as body-shaming, a not-so-subtle message that a person’s body isn’t good enough, eating disorder experts say.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
Keira Knightley is getting real about body-shaming.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
Christina Aguilera thinks body-shaming is a dirrty pair of words.
—EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024
Last month, Ava called out some of her haters for a different reason: body-shaming.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Abdulmalik Alluhidan, The Conversation, 19 Mar. 2025
Deftly avoiding body-shaming that could’ve made Kung Fu Panda’s premise into a parade of fat jokes, the film instead weaves a striking tale of self-worth and positivity, wrapped in an aesthetic that’s very respectful and faithful to the history of martial-arts films and Chinese culture.
—James Grebey, Vulture, 31 Jan. 2025
The 27-year-old’s Instagram has now been flooded with criticism, however, after Swedish news outlet Aftonbladet produced a report on widespread bullying and body-shaming at Djerf Avenue.
—Lily Ford, The Hollywood Reporter, 18 Dec. 2024
Knightly's example demonstrates the pendulum swing of body-shaming.
—Anna Kaufman, USA TODAY, 17 Dec. 2024
When body image woes come wrapped in a bow
Giving a fitness gift this holiday season can come across as body-shaming, a not-so-subtle message that a person’s body isn’t good enough, eating disorder experts say.
—Andrew Torgan, CNN, 2 Dec. 2024
Keira Knightley is getting real about body-shaming.
—Brendan Morrow, USA TODAY, 25 Nov. 2024
Christina Aguilera thinks body-shaming is a dirrty pair of words.
—EW.com, 15 Aug. 2024
Last month, Ava called out some of her haters for a different reason: body-shaming.
—Bailey Richards, Peoplemag, 1 June 2024
Cite this Entry
“Body-shaming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/body-shaming. Accessed 27 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share