name-calling
noun
name-call·ing
ˈnām-ˌkȯ-liŋ 
: the use of offensive names especially to win an argument or to induce rejection or condemnation (as of a person or project) without objective consideration of the facts
Examples of name-calling in a Sentence
the campaign quickly degenerated into name-calling rather than an intelligent discussion of the issues
Recent Examples on the Web
Maximizers who call Trump a fascist are dismissed by the minimizers as either engaging in name-calling or forcing a facile parallel.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
What has happened to Black players has been a litany of name-calling and threats, to the point that some teams have had to increase security.
—Susan M. Shaw, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Through competitive games, the boys descended into hostility, engaging in name-calling, group segregation, and even singing derogatory songs.
—Nicole Lipkin, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
And what is important is that there is a president who actually brings values and a perspective that is about lifting people up and not beating people down and name-calling.
—Maya Marchel Hoff, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for name-calling 
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 14 Oct. 2024
What has happened to Black players has been a litany of name-calling and threats, to the point that some teams have had to increase security.
—Susan M. Shaw, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024
Through competitive games, the boys descended into hostility, engaging in name-calling, group segregation, and even singing derogatory songs.
—Nicole Lipkin, Forbes, 24 Sep. 2024
And what is important is that there is a president who actually brings values and a perspective that is about lifting people up and not beating people down and name-calling.
—Maya Marchel Hoff, USA TODAY, 11 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for name-calling
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'name-calling.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near name-calling
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/name-calling. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.
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