name-calling

American  

[neym-kaw-ling] / ˈneɪmˌkɔ lɪŋ /

noun

1. the use of abusive names to belittle or humiliate another person in a political campaign, an argument, etc.

---

name-calling British  

noun

1. verbal abuse, esp as a crude form of argument

---

Etymology

Origin of name-calling

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

So I’m just curious if there’s some weird middle ground that dissenting justices and lower-court judges need to find so that it doesn’t look like name-calling or editorializing?

From Slate • Oct. 6, 2025

But it’s fair to say that Reagan never indulged in outright name-calling or hateful invective, stressed his desire for negotiation over confrontation and left the nuclear saber-rattling to subordinates.

From Salon • Sep. 28, 2025

Jacob Fisher, an independent voter from Atlanta, said he thought calling Trump and Mr Vance “weird” was appropriate and only mildly insulting in an age of political name-calling.

From BBC • Aug. 10, 2024

The company stressed the need to be respectful: no trolling, no name-calling, no politics.

From New York Times • Apr. 8, 2024

In all, there could not have been more than a dozen incidents of name-calling.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• insult