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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of name-calling
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
But when brought to the surface, where the water pressure isn’t high enough to maintain their shape, blobfish morph into the mushy creatures whose looks have been the subject of so much name-calling.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
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
But when brought to the surface, where the water pressure isn’t high enough to maintain their shape, blobfish morph into the mushy creatures whose looks have been the subject of so much name-calling.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
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In response, Baldoni filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against The Times, which was quickly followed by a $400 million defamation and civil extortion suit against Lively, Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
14 June 2025
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What followed has been months of claims and counterclaims, press statements and counter-statements, as well as a libel lawsuit from Baldoni against the Times.—
David Mack,
Rolling Stone,
10 June 2025
Noun
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While the censure resolution easily passed the House, only 22 Democrats voted in favor of it.—
Michael Graham,
Boston Herald,
6 June 2025
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Stupar declined to comment on the censure, referring any questions to Lynch, who is president of the board.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 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 22 Jun. 2025.
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