name-calling

American  

[naym-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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

name-calling

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 22, 2026

The pair have sparred on social media for years, and Trump has responded to his opponent with name-calling.

From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2025

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

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2024

Cavuto questioned the purpose of the name-calling the vice president has faced from Republicans like Kennedy, calling it “petty.”

From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2024

One game involved trying to pull a decorative bow from a vachette's head, and another seemed to amount to nothing more than name-calling.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris

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Related Words

• insult

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