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.

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name-calling British  

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of name-calling

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

name-calling

The name-calling hit Ayden especially hard, Gatlin said.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

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

That one word proved surprisingly effective in eviscerating a former president known for name-calling.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2024

“There will be no name-calling at Swanburne, not even from the trustees.”

From "The Interrupted Tale" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• insult