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
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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 crisis publicist Melissa Nathan and Abel sued the New York Times for $250 million for libel.—
Tatiana Siegel,
Variety,
21 Mar. 2025
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The pivotal addition to the the state Civil Code reads: Existing law provides that libel is a false and unprivileged written publication that injures the reputation and that slander is a false and unprivileged publication, orally uttered, that injures the reputation, as specified.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Washington Examiner obtained the text of the censure resolution.—
Ross O'Keefe,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
25 Mar. 2025
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Fox News was first to report the censure resolution.—
Andrew Solender,
Axios,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The actress, who's now 38, has spent much of her life out of the spotlight after having struggled with substance abuse as a teenager.—
Raechal Shewfelt,
EW.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Someone might view losing their job as a temporary setback and remain relatively calm, while another person might experience the same circumstances as a disaster, triggering intense stress that cascades into serious health problems, such as depression and substance abuse.—
Jeffrey Anvari-Clark,
The Conversation,
27 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.
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