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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of name-calling
The political parties lack respect for one another and have normalized blatant name-calling.
—
Tracy Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
Patton-Smith says that red flag friend groups may foster cruel humor or social exclusion, jokes at others' expense, name-calling, or freezing kids out of activities.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 21 July 2025
There’s been name-calling, rumors and a couple of arguments that the teachers had to step in to settle.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 July 2025
Many, particularly supporters of President Donald Trump, responded with outrage or worse, devolving into name-calling.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Tracy Sachs, Sun Sentinel, 29 July 2025
Patton-Smith says that red flag friend groups may foster cruel humor or social exclusion, jokes at others' expense, name-calling, or freezing kids out of activities.
—Sherri Gordon, Parents, 21 July 2025
There’s been name-calling, rumors and a couple of arguments that the teachers had to step in to settle.
—Harriette Cole, Mercury News, 19 July 2025
Many, particularly supporters of President Donald Trump, responded with outrage or worse, devolving into name-calling.
—Kevin Grasha, The Enquirer, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
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Trump appears to be the first sitting President or Presidential nominee in American history to sue for libel or defamation.—
David D. Kirkpatrick,
New Yorker,
11 Aug. 2025
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Now Trump has filed a lawsuit for libel and slander against the Wall Street Journal, its publisher, two of its reporters, and News Corp founder and former friend Rupert Murdoch.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
20 July 2025
Noun
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Bolick pointed also to the Maricopa County Republican Committee's 2024 censure of the Arizona Supreme Court.—
Taylor Seely,
AZCentral.com,
3 July 2025
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Libby said no reason was given for Wednesday's surprise resolution that ended the censure.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
Noun
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In the United States, more than 60% of people participating in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported experiencing emotional abuse and 31.8% reported physical abuse.—
Madeline Holcombe,
CNN Money,
5 Aug. 2025
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The Trump administration says its workforce restructuring is part of the president's efforts to cut waste, fraud and abuse and improve Americans' lives, White House Principal Deputy Press Secretary Harrison Fields told ABC News.—
Arthur Jones II,
ABC News,
5 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 20 Aug. 2025.
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