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

It argues that “Dungeons & Dragons” is for all, much as I did as a junior high kid who made it something of a mission to convert my name-calling friends with the hopes of showing them the joys of gathering with little more than paper, pencils, dice and an imagination.

From Los Angeles Times

Name-calling was one thing, but facts, alas, were facts.

From Literature

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

From Literature

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

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

Related Words

• insult