Thesaurus results for NAME-CALLING

name-calling

noun

ˈnām-ˌkȯ-liŋ

Definition of name-calling

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 But the president didn’t stop with name-calling. — Matt Peterson, CNBC, 10 June 2026 That name-calling doesn’t keep small businesses like this open. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026 Since then, it’s shifted to tribal politics, settling for name-calling and ad hominem attacks. — Jeff Horseman, Oc Register, 5 May 2026 Cofer noted that the evening was a forum, rather than a debate and that name-calling wasn’t allowed. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for name-calling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling

Noun

Reuters — Jeffrey Archer, the bestselling British novelist and former politician who was jailed for lying in a high-profile libel case, has died aged 86, his publisher HarperCollins said on Monday.

— CNN Money, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2026
His political career, which included a spell as the Conservative Party’s deputy chairman, was interrupted by a period in prison in 2001 after he was found guilty of lying and cheating in a 1987 libel case against The Daily Star newspaper.

— Jake Kanter, Deadline, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of libel

Noun

Men shouted abuse from car windows or tried to bribe him with money, drugs, even girlfriends.

— Robb Report, Robb Report, 9 Oct. 2026
The department said ALPRs have led to the arrests of suspects in cases of homicide, theft, child abuse, burglary and among other crimes.

— Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 9 Oct. 2026

Definition of abuse

Browse Nearby Words

nameable

name-calling

named

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of name-calling

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

nexus

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes