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

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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 Congress had one of its most unproductive and dysfunctional periods the past two years that featured leadership fights, name-calling and physical aggression among lawmakers and averting government shutdowns with just hours to spare. Sudiksha Kochi, USA TODAY, 20 Feb. 2025 Disagreement between Maryland’s Democratic legislature and our former Republican governor was real but never descended into the name-calling and vitriol that defines so much of American politics. Colin Pascal, Baltimore Sun, 9 Feb. 2025 According to court documents, ACS in 2023 started the process of removing the infant from her father, who was accused of being physically and verbally aggressive with Ms. W — including name-calling, slapping her, and ripping out her hair, according to court documents. Cayla Bamberger, New York Daily News, 6 Feb. 2025 The two presidents appeared to have a friendly conversation and relationship amid the transition of power, despite the name-calling and tumultuous history between them. Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
  • On New Year’s Eve, Baldoni and nine other plaintiffs, including his crisis publicist Melissa Nathan, sued the New York Times for $250 million for libel.
    Tatiana Siegel, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
  • Baldoni, for is part, filed a libel lawsuit for $250 million against The New York Times—which first reported on Lively’s complaint—six days later.
    Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 27 Feb. 2025
Noun
  • In a 224 to 198 vote, the House approved a censure resolution against Green, with 10 Democrats joining all Republicans in favor of the move.
    Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 6 Mar. 2025
  • In the end, however, Johnson decided to go with Newhouse’s censure resolution.
    Mychael Schnell, The Hill, 5 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Which means those bureaucracies are ripe for waste, fraud and abuse.
    Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 3 Mar. 2025
  • Trump fired 17 inspectors general, the watchdogs that scrutinize agencies for waste, fraud and abuse.
    Bart Jansen, USA TODAY, 2 Mar. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 18 Mar. 2025.

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