ad hominem

American  

[ad hom-uh-nuhm, -nem, ahd‐] / æd ˈhɒm ə nəm, -ˌnɛm, ɑd‐ /

adjective

1. attacking an opponent's character or motives rather than answering the argument or claim.

2. appealing to one's prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one's intellect or reason.

---

ad hominem British  

/ æd ˈhɒmɪˌnɛm /

adjective

1. directed against a person rather than against his arguments

2. based on or appealing to emotion rather than reason

---

ad hominem Cultural  

1. A Latin expression meaning “to the man.” An ad hominem argument is one that relies on personal attacks rather than reason or substance.

---

Etymology

Origin of ad hominem

First recorded in 1580–90 ad hominem for def. 2, and in 1780–90 ad hominem for def. 1; from Latin: literally, “to the man, to the person,” i.e., to the passions or prejudices or interests of the person

Example Sentences

“There are pressures from many organizations: federal, industry, medical organizations that are trying to influence by ad hominem attacks, when we are trying to look at and ask for data,” Milhoan said.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 5, 2025

Because of the previous rancor among some of the candidates, I instituted a “No ad hominem attack” rule and limited their amount of time to answer questions to keep it civil.

From Salon • May 2, 2024

“It is this ad hominem attack that questioned the president’s capacity,” Mr. Landrieu said of Mr. Hur’s report.

From New York Times • Feb. 11, 2024

For her part, Gay wrote in the Times that those who campaigned to have her ousted “often trafficked in lies and ad hominem insults, not reasoned arguments.”

From Seattle Times • Jan. 14, 2024

The key thing about invective or ad hominem attack is that it is a sort of reverse ethos appeal: the purpose is to isolate your opponent from the community.

From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith