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
The verbal dispute led to name-calling and an invitation to fight.
—
Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 5 Mar. 2026
But the response should not be hand-wringing or name-calling.
—Reardon Sullivan, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
The congressman accused Bondi of name-calling and failing to provide accountability for the Justice Department.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Such name-calling defies the typical Idaho Republican approach, observers say.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Dale Denwalt, Oklahoman, 5 Mar. 2026
But the response should not be hand-wringing or name-calling.
—Reardon Sullivan, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2026
The congressman accused Bondi of name-calling and failing to provide accountability for the Justice Department.
—Terry Collins, USA Today, 16 Feb. 2026
Such name-calling defies the typical Idaho Republican approach, observers say.
—Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 29 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
-
Zenger was arrested and accused of seditious libel or content that challenged the authority of the state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
-
The nation's highest court overturned a libel case against the newspaper, which had run an ad condemning police treatment of civil rights demonstrators in Montgomery, Alabama.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
26 May 2026
Noun
-
Several Democrats joined with Republicans for the censure vote.—
Fin Daniel Gómez,
CBS News,
27 May 2026
-
Coggins said the official party complaint seemed to be the strongest venue available to condemn Polis’ actions, especially since a special legislative session — with the goal of a censure by the General Assembly — seemed out of reach.—
Seth Klamann,
Denver Post,
20 May 2026
Noun
-
On the other side, De la Espriella has promised to fiercely crack down on criminal groups and build 10 megaprisons, following in a similar vein as El Salvador’s president, Nayib Bukele, in his war on gangs, which has been beset by abuses, according to findings by human rights groups.—
Megan Janetsky,
Los Angeles Times,
1 June 2026
-
Multiple charges of abuse there, including bribery.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
31 May 2026
Noun
-
There’s also a fair amount of political mudslinging and backbiting.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
-
The race for what is traditionally an administrative post requiring technical expertise has been marked by intense mudslinging this election cycle.—
Ryan Macasero,
Mercury News,
3 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 5 Jun. 2026.
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