argumentum ad hominem

/ ˌɑːɡjʊˈmɛntʊm æd ˈhɒmɪˌnɛm /

noun

1. fallacious argument that attacks not an opponent's beliefs but his motives or character
2. argument that shows an opponent's statement to be inconsistent with his other beliefs
3. an instance of either of these

Word History and Origins

Origin of argumentum ad hominem¹

literally: argument to the person

Example Sentences

Argumentum ad hominem is the fallacy that a point is wrong because of personal critiques of the person making it.

From Salon

The president’s speech opened with a lengthy argumentum ad hominem to the effect that “many of the same people who argued for the war in Iraq are now making the case against the Iran nuclear deal.”

From Wall Street Journal

In a case like this the argumentum ad hominem, though a perfectly fair one, is a perfectly useless one.

From Project Gutenberg

It is the argumentum ad hominem,—generally an uncivil mode of address; but here, at any rate, it is impersonally used.

From Project Gutenberg

But it was the Argumentum ad hominem; and if my uncle Toby was not very expert at it, you may think, he might not care to use it.——No; the reason was,—’twas not his nature to insult.

From Project Gutenberg