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Synonyms

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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of name-calling

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Name calling and ad hominem attacks are easy and when you use them it makes it harder to work together.

From The Verge • May 16, 2022

Name calling and zingers will not build a bridge to understanding.

From Salon • Nov. 23, 2019

Q. Name calling: My fiancé’s family continues to call me the wrong name—his ex’s name or names that start with the same letter as mine.

From Slate • Nov. 11, 2019

Name calling: Louisville fans call the Cats "Ca-yuts" and Kentucky responds with "Loserville."

From Seattle Times • Mar. 29, 2012

Name calling is a time-honored sport among Americans where their Presidents are concerned.

From Time Magazine Archive

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.