name-calling

noun

name-call·​ing ˈnām-ˌkȯ-liŋ How to pronounce name-calling (audio)
: the use of offensive names especially to win an argument or to induce rejection or condemnation (as of a person or project) without objective consideration of the facts

Examples of name-calling in a Sentence

the campaign quickly degenerated into name-calling rather than an intelligent discussion of the issues
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Some readers couldn’t get over the wife’s name-calling. Brian Anthony Hernandez, People.com, 5 Apr. 2025 Gossiping, name-calling and scapegoating were commonplace. Dawn Szymanski, The Conversation, 26 Mar. 2025 But when brought to the surface, where the water pressure isn’t high enough to maintain their shape, blobfish morph into the mushy creatures whose looks have been the subject of so much name-calling. Peter Guo, NBC News, 19 Mar. 2025 Smith defended Barkley over his name-calling but did go after him for his opinion on ESPN's topic selection. William Lambers, Newsweek, 7 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for name-calling

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of name-calling was in 1819

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Name-calling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/name-calling. Accessed 21 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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