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
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of name-calling
Congress is known not to shy away from theatrics and name-calling.
—
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Conservatives are no longer afraid of progressive name-calling.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025
For Musk, whose younger brother Kimbal — a restaurant owner, entrepreneur and Tesla board member — has joined in on the action, the name-calling appears to be tied to business conditions.
—Lora Kolodny,ari Levy, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Conservatives are no longer afraid of progressive name-calling.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025
For Musk, whose younger brother Kimbal — a restaurant owner, entrepreneur and Tesla board member — has joined in on the action, the name-calling appears to be tied to business conditions.
—Lora Kolodny,ari Levy, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
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After The New York Times ran an investigative story looking into Lively's claims, Baldoni filed a $250 million lawsuit against the outlet, alleging libel, which The New York Times denied.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
10 June 2025
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On New Year’s Eve, Lively formally sued Baldoni, who simultaneously filed a $250 million libel lawsuit against the Times.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
7 May 2025
Noun
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Libby's censure was initially passed on Feb. 25 by a vote of 75-70.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
25 June 2025
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Iran said other measures were also being planned in response to the U.N. agency's censure.—
Arkansas Online,
Arkansas Online,
13 June 2025
Noun
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The trial in part stemmed from 2020 allegations from several of Paxton's former aides, who alleged abuse of office, bribery and other crimes.—
Melina Khan,
USA Today,
12 July 2025
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Many of these complications are meant to either limit the cost of tax breaks or to prevent anticipated abuses.—
Kelly Phillips Erb,
Forbes.com,
12 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.
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