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
Infighting and name-calling immediately broke out among party ranks in response to Senate President Pro Tempore Rodric Bray's decision.
—
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 2025
Bullying can be physical harm, such as hitting, kicking, and tripping, as well as name-calling and teasing, spreading rumors, leaving others out of the group, and damaging victims’ property, according to the CDC.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
In May, the 26-season DWTS vet took to TikTok to address some viewers' tendencies toward scrutiny and name-calling.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The control and manipulation started subtly—name-calling, jealousy, isolation.
—Maya McHenry, Refinery29, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Kayla Dwyer, IndyStar, 17 Nov. 2025
Bullying can be physical harm, such as hitting, kicking, and tripping, as well as name-calling and teasing, spreading rumors, leaving others out of the group, and damaging victims’ property, according to the CDC.
—Saleen Martin, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025
In May, the 26-season DWTS vet took to TikTok to address some viewers' tendencies toward scrutiny and name-calling.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Oct. 2025
The control and manipulation started subtly—name-calling, jealousy, isolation.
—Maya McHenry, Refinery29, 28 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
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Earlier in December, Baldoni filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, in Los Angeles County Superior Court, over its explosive story detailing her alleged treatment on set.—
Angela Yang,
NBC news,
3 Nov. 2025
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Steve Coogan has settled a libel claim over 2022’s The Lost King after a university academic sued over his depiction in the film.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
27 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Hegseth’s recent censure of Kelly accuses him of Conduct Unbecoming An Officer and Violating Good Order And Discipline (less serious parts of the UCMJ and more open to interpretation).—
Michael Szalma,
The Orlando Sentinel,
10 Jan. 2026
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Hegseth this week backed off that losing proposition and instead issued a censure for Kelly and started a process to demote him in retirement, which would reduce his pension.—
Chris Brennan,
USA Today,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The child's mother reported to Child Protective Services that the abuse occurred between November 2022 and spring 2024, the complaint said.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
11 Jan. 2026
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On one hand, some argue that Good was attempting to leave the scene, and a trigger-happy ICE agent fired his weapon at her, an abuse of authority.—
Andrew Adeolu,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
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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
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Censure resolutions, a once-rare reprimand for serious misdemeanors committed by House members, are now a common tactic used in mudslinging and squabbles both within the same party and against the opposing party.—
Rachel Schilke,
The Washington Examiner,
21 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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