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
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
Some readers couldn’t get over the wife’s name-calling.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Gossiping, name-calling and scapegoating were commonplace.
—Dawn Szymanski, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2025
But when brought to the surface, where the water pressure isn’t high enough to maintain their shape, blobfish morph into the mushy creatures whose looks have been the subject of so much name-calling.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Isaac Bashevis Singer, Harpers Magazine, 26 Mar. 2025
Some readers couldn’t get over the wife’s name-calling.
—Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025
Gossiping, name-calling and scapegoating were commonplace.
—Dawn Szymanski, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2025
But when brought to the surface, where the water pressure isn’t high enough to maintain their shape, blobfish morph into the mushy creatures whose looks have been the subject of so much name-calling.
—Peter Guo, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
-
The libel lawsuit was settled within weeks, CNN reported, with the website issuing a retraction and acknowledging that Kardashian had in fact been robbed at gunpoint.—
Christie D’Zurilla,
Los Angeles Times,
12 May 2025
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In December, Baldoni sued The New York Times for libel following the newspaper’s publication of an article detailing Lively’s accusations.—
Chloe Melas,
NBC news,
10 May 2025
Noun
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Stupar declined to comment on the censure, referring any questions to Lynch, who is president of the board.—
Regina Elling,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
27 May 2025
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Libby filed her lawsuit against Fecteau to have the censure overturned on March 11.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
8 May 2025
Noun
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The man, identified as Timothy Patrick Schulz, 42, had a long history of methamphetamine abuse and arrests, most recently being released from custody on May 20, Judd said.—
Bert Robinson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 May 2025
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The Department of Government Oversight and Efficiency has uncovered waste, fraud and abuse that is troubling, but not unexpected.—
Rita Numerof,
Forbes.com,
26 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 5 Jun. 2025.
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