Name-calling

noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    The use of derogatory labels in verbal attacks on a person or other entity. countable, uncountable

    "So inflammatory were the words of some preachers during these trying years that a resolution to silence, by mayoral proclamation, a continuation of name-calling from the pulpit was presented to the city council by one would-be pacifier."

Synonyms

All synonyms
character assassinationdefamationmuckrakingmudslingingrevilementsmear

Example

More examples

"Name-calling is never productive."

Etymology

Compare call names.

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.