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
For Musk, whose younger brother Kimbal — a restaurant owner, entrepreneur and Tesla board member — has joined in on the action, the name-calling appears to be tied to business conditions.
—
Lora Kolodny,ari Levy, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
During elections one group calls the other by all kinds of bad names that no one takes too seriously, neither those that do the name-calling nor those called by such names.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
Some readers couldn’t get over the wife’s name-calling.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Gossiping, name-calling and scapegoating were commonplace.
—Dawn Szymanski, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Lora Kolodny,ari Levy, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
During elections one group calls the other by all kinds of bad names that no one takes too seriously, neither those that do the name-calling nor those called by such names.
—Isaac Bashevis Singer, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
Some readers couldn’t get over the wife’s name-calling.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Gossiping, name-calling and scapegoating were commonplace.
—Dawn Szymanski, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
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On New Year’s Eve, Baldoni sued The New York Times for $250 million for libel over their initial story about Lively’s allegations.—
Zack Sharf,
Variety,
2 May 2025
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This group also advises on libel, intellectual property, and other concerns relating to content.—
Harrison Richlin,
IndieWire,
1 May 2025
Noun
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The opposition Labour Party, as well as the Green Party, criticized the suspensions as disproportionate, with the Labour Party proposing censure instead.—
Julia Zhong,
NBC news,
5 June 2025
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The censure so far has cost her a chance to vote on the state's biannual budget and propose a bill to expand access to mental health resources for residents.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Jail records show Walker also has a pending case on suspicion of elder abuse and assault by means of force likely to cause great bodily injury.—
Ethan Wolin,
Sacbee.com,
19 June 2025
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Seen as a metaphor for fascism, authoritarian threats and other abuses of power, the script has experienced a resurgence recently.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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