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
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
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
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
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
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
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
-
Kennedy's attorneys are claiming defamation both in the form of libel and slander, and are alleging civil conspiracy to make false accusations, along with assault, battery, and more.—
Lauren Linder,
CBS News,
4 Feb. 2026
-
Following her termination, Wise filed a lawsuit against the county alleging libel, wrongful termination and tortious interference, according to court documents.—
Kyle Werner,
Des Moines Register,
3 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
At the time of his censure, Wyatt was vice chairman.—
Reed Williams,
AJC.com,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Both of those items were not proposed during the latest censure debate.—
Sierra Lopez,
Mercury News,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
In November, a medical examiner ruled Mimi's cause of death as fatal child abuse with starvation and the manner of death as homicide, NBC Connecticut reported.—
Charlotte Phillipp,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
-
Amid memories of childhood abuse and strained relationships, skating was a cathartic outlet for the trio, whose most revealing moments appear through flashback footage and more recent recordings.—
Ilana Gordon,
Entertainment Weekly,
1 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
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
-
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 9 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
