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 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
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
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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
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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
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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
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In the end, however, Johnson decided to go with Newhouse’s censure resolution.—
Mychael Schnell,
The Hill,
5 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Which means those bureaucracies are ripe for waste, fraud and abuse.—
Gordon G. Chang,
Newsweek,
3 Mar. 2025
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Trump fired 17 inspectors general, the watchdogs that scrutinize agencies for waste, fraud and abuse.—
Bart Jansen,
USA TODAY,
2 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 17 Mar. 2025.
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