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
While Trump’s name-calling of Powell isn’t particularly new, the words now could signal action.
—
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Red flags such as name-calling, humiliation, neglect, gaslighting, screaming or threatening to end the relationship can be swept under the rug.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Congress is known not to shy away from theatrics and name-calling.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Conservatives are no longer afraid of progressive name-calling.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Jeff Cox, CNBC, 26 June 2025
Red flags such as name-calling, humiliation, neglect, gaslighting, screaming or threatening to end the relationship can be swept under the rug.
—Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 16 May 2025
Congress is known not to shy away from theatrics and name-calling.
—Lauren Green, The Washington Examiner, 24 Apr. 2025
Conservatives are no longer afraid of progressive name-calling.
—Chris Roemer, Baltimore Sun, 8 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for name-calling
Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling
Noun
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The lawsuit also accused Lively, her husband Ryan Reynolds and publicist Leslie Sloane of civil extortion, but was tossed in early June, along with Baldoni’s $250 million libel lawsuit against The New York Times, for its coverage of Lively’s claims.—
Jami Ganz,
New York Daily News,
31 July 2025
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But tensions escalated when Exeter later shared a private message from Jessica, who allegedly alluded to taking legal action for libel.—
Stephanie Petit,
People.com,
30 July 2025
Noun
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Later that month, Ramirez-Rosa avoided a historic censure thanks to Johnson’s tie-breaker vote, but not before the episode cast open bitter divisions within the body along racial lines.—
Alice Yin,
Chicago Tribune,
18 July 2025
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Blain said in the statement that the independent investigative report — and the censure vote — were not objective inquiries, but the result of politics.—
Julie Gallant,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 July 2025
Noun
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Christy Corcoran, a nearby homeowner who took part in the camp cleanup, said the animal abuse is a sign of the bad actors who can swarm to large homeless camps.—
Jordan Smith,
IndyStar,
26 July 2025
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In another case, the court appointed alcohol abuse expert recommended monitors for one and a half years.—
Patricia Fersch,
Forbes.com,
25 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025.
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