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
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
Smith defended Barkley over his name-calling but did go after him for his opinion on ESPN's topic selection.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 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
And absolutely no name-calling.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Peter Guo, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025
Smith defended Barkley over his name-calling but did go after him for his opinion on ESPN's topic selection.
—William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 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
And absolutely no name-calling.
—Cheryl V. Jackson, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Dec. 2024
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
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In February 2022, U.S. District Judge Jed S. Rakoff rejected Palin's claims in a ruling issued while a jury deliberated, saying Palin had failed to show that the Times had acted out of malice, something required in libel lawsuits involving public figures.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2025
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Lipstadt became famous—and was later portrayed onscreen by Rachel Weisz—for winning a judgment in a British court against the Holocaust denier David Irving, who had sued her for libel.—
Isaac Chotiner,
New Yorker,
22 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The trial committee recommended a private letter of censure and a bar on serving as a strike captain for three years.—
Gene Maddaus,
Variety,
12 Apr. 2025
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Maine state representative Laurel Libby's lawsuit over her recent censure by the state legislature went to federal court on Friday for its first hearing in Rhode Island.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
5 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Sentry, has documented mental health issues, was the victim of abuse, and struggled with addiction.—
Eliana Dockterman,
Time,
2 May 2025
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The bill ensures women are safe in their bathrooms, locker rooms, showers and domestic abuse shelters.—
Jackson Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
2 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 8 May. 2025.
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