flame war

American  

noun

1. Computer Slang. a series of angry, critical, or disparaging comments exchanged by two or more people in an ongoing online argument.

---

Etymology

Origin of flame war

First recorded in 1985–90

Example Sentences

The subreddit itself was born out of an escalating flame war.

From Slate • Mar. 13, 2019

Just as important: Okja is a masterpiece that could draw a flame war, and has.

From The Verge • Jun. 26, 2017

On some corners of the Internet, it's a full-on flame war.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2017

Of course, there are many ways to ruin your health with a laptop — like engaging in a flame war on Facebook at 4 in the morning.

From New York Times • Sep. 17, 2016

Some subthreads will actually be in response to some off-the-cuff side comment, possibly degenerating into a flame war, or just as often evolving into a separate discussion.

From The Jargon File, Version 4.2.2, 20 Aug 2000 by Steele, Guy L.