Thesaurus results for NAME-CALLING

name-calling

noun

ˈnām-ˌkȯ-liŋ

Definition of name-calling

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

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of name-calling That name-calling doesn’t keep small businesses like this open. — Rachel Royster, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 2 June 2026 Since then, it’s shifted to tribal politics, settling for name-calling and ad hominem attacks. — Jeff Horseman, Oc Register, 5 May 2026 Cofer noted that the evening was a forum, rather than a debate and that name-calling wasn’t allowed. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 10 Apr. 2026 Among my Jewish friends and family, these efforts to intimidate and alienate Jews, to exclude them from civil society and from public life, and to close down private Jewish spaces are discussed with far more concern and frequency than the regular reports of graffiti and name-calling. — Jesse Brown, The Atlantic, 24 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for name-calling

Recent Examples of Synonyms for name-calling

Noun

Her 2009 memoir The Last Supper, about a summer spent in Italy, resulted in a libel suit.

— Gary Baum, HollywoodReporter, 19 Aug. 2026
His contempt for the Jewish state of Israel will lead our city right into a libel suit worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

— Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 2026

Definition of libel

Noun

Hisbah members also face widespread allegations of rights abuses in their enforcement operations, including subjecting offenders to dehumanizing punishments such as public beatings or shaming.

— ABC News, ABC News, 28 Aug. 2026
An autopsy identified multiple injuries, and the DuPage County Coroner’s Office ultimately determined that his death was caused by injuries resulting from child abuse and classified the death as a homicide, the news release said.

— Aurora Beacon-News, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026

Definition of abuse

Noun

There’s also a fair amount of political mudslinging and backbiting.

— Matthew Adams, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 June 2026
The race for what is traditionally an administrative post requiring technical expertise has been marked by intense mudslinging this election cycle.

— Ryan Macasero, Mercury News, 3 June 2026

Definition of mudslinging

Browse Nearby Words

nameable

name-calling

named

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/name-calling. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of name-calling

noun

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

apiary

Popular in Grammar & Usage

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4

Popular

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Games & Quizzes