name-calling

noun

name-call·​ing ˈnām-ˌkȯ-liŋ How to pronounce name-calling (audio)
: 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

Recent Examples on the Web My partner is not physically abusive but checks a lot of other boxes: yelling, vicious anger, name-calling, silent treatments. Carolyn Hax, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024 For more than a year, whenever the Campbell County Republican committee met, there was shouting, name-calling, and constant interrupting. Jolene Almendarez, The Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2024 Aggressive Confrontation Aggressive confrontation is a conflict style marked by hostile and confrontational communication, including yelling, name-calling and personal attacks. Mark Travers, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024 Well, except for the bad stuff — the armchair experts, the name-calling on social media, the chorus and the doubt. Sean Keeler, The Denver Post, 15 Feb. 2024 That led to criticism that Salazar was acting like the Cuban regime and devolved later into name-calling. Suzanne Gamboa, NBC News, 19 Jan. 2024 Taped in April, the three-parter included plenty of name-calling. Joelle Goldstein, Peoplemag, 26 Jan. 2024 The real-world setting includes bullying (e.g., destroying someone’s property, name-calling, insults). Common Sense Media, Washington Post, 19 Jan. 2024 At a campaign stop in Amherst on Friday, Haley brushed off Trump's slur and assured voters the name-calling is just evidence of Trump's fear. Nidia Cavazos, CBS News, 19 Jan. 2024

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.

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of name-calling was in 1819

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 28 Mar. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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