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
Among my Jewish friends and family, these efforts to intimidate and alienate Jews, to exclude them from civil society and from public life, and to close down private Jewish spaces are discussed with far more concern and frequency than the regular reports of graffiti and name-calling.
—
Jesse Brown, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Jesse Brown, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026
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
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
-
Sabellico sued him for libel, arguing those comments were malicious and defamatory.—
Jemma Stephenson,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 June 2026
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Zenger was arrested and accused of seditious libel or content that challenged the authority of the state.—
Encyclopedia Britannica,
Encyclopedia Britannica,
28 May 2026
Noun
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Resident Nancy Thomas, a frequent critic of the city commission, demanded that Glassman apologize and called for his censure in emails to city officials.—
Steve Bousquet,
Sun Sentinel,
6 June 2026
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During the trial, Phelan led the chamber through the impeachment, defended the process and survived Paxton's attempt to replace him in the House and the Texas Republican Party's censure.—
Mateo Rosiles,
USA Today,
3 June 2026
Noun
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Johnson works in the mental health field, helping people on their recovery journey from substance abuse, anxiety, alcohol.—
Kansas City Star,
Kansas City Star,
7 June 2026
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In 2019, Colorado lawmakers extended the statute of limitations on failure to report child abuse from 18 months to three years.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
7 June 2026
Noun
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There’s also a fair amount of political mudslinging and backbiting.—
Matthew Adams,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 June 2026
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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 14 Jun. 2026.
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