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
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
Thursday’s action ends more than a year of legal battles and name-calling in Trump’s bid to make the 16.4-acre estate profitable.
—Miami Herasld Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
In the Instagram video, Tammy acknowledged fans were angry with her and apologized for name-calling, but said that Amy had humiliated her and acted carelessly.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
The authors also strictly warn against name-calling or insulting a partner, as this can only create relationship strain and signal disrespect.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Lauren Irwin, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
Thursday’s action ends more than a year of legal battles and name-calling in Trump’s bid to make the 16.4-acre estate profitable.
—Miami Herasld Archives, Miami Herald, 7 Jan. 2025
In the Instagram video, Tammy acknowledged fans were angry with her and apologized for name-calling, but said that Amy had humiliated her and acted carelessly.
—Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 7 Dec. 2024
The authors also strictly warn against name-calling or insulting a partner, as this can only create relationship strain and signal disrespect.
—Mark Travers, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
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Freedman has suggested that Gottlieb was responsible, at least in part, for the bombshell New York Times article regarding Lively’s accusations against Baldoni, who is currently suing the publication for libel and false light invasion of privacy.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
3 Feb. 2025
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Baldoni is suing Lively, Reynolds, and their PR rep for defamation and extortion, as well as the NYT for libel.—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
22 Jan. 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 13 Mar. 2025.
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