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
Relevance
Example Sentences
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.
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
-
Sugar libel was snipped from both bills.—
Pat Beall,
Sun Sentinel,
27 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
Days later, the House voted to reprimand Garcia after a fellow Democrat brought a censure resolution to the floor.—
David Sivak,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Those were the cameras that captured the guards’ abuse and neglect of Mitchell four years later.—
USA Today,
USA Today,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Evaluating this requires examining abuses, military aggression, humanitarian violations, sanctions, and judgments by bodies like the United Nations and the International Court of Justice.—
Ken Barnes,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Now, with early voting for the March 3 primary set to start next week, the mudslinging in both races is expected to soar, according to insiders with both parties watching with skittishness from Texas and Washington.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
10 Feb. 2026
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
