Thesaurus results for NAME-CALLING

name-calling

noun

ˈnām-ˌkȯ-liŋ

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

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 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling

Noun

Baldoni, who denied the allegations, filed a gargantuan defamation suit for $400 million against Lively and her camp, as well as a $250 million libel suit against The New York Times’ coverage of the claims.

— Jami Ganz, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026
Sabellico sued him for libel, arguing those comments were malicious and defamatory.

— Jemma Stephenson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 June 2026