ad hominem

[ ad hom-uh-nuhm-nem, ahd‐ ]

adjective

1. attacking an opponent's character or motives rather than answering the argument or claim.
2. appealing to one's prejudices, emotions, or special interests rather than to one's intellect or reason. Compare ad feminam.

ad hominem

/ æd ˈhɒmɪˌnɛm /

adjective

1. directed against a person rather than against his arguments
2. based on or appealing to emotion rather than reason

ad hominem

1. A Latin expression meaning “to the man.” An ad hominem argument is one that relies on personal attacks rather than reason or substance.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ad hominem¹

First recorded in 1580–90 ad hominem fordef 2, and in 1780–90 ad hominem fordef 1; from Latin: literally, “to the man, to the person,” i.e., to the passions or prejudices or interests of the person

Word History and Origins

Origin of ad hominem¹

literally: to the man

Example Sentences

But it has become increasingly ad hominem, with particular focus on his alleged anti-Semitism.

From The Daily Beast

When it comes to ad hominem attacks, neither Woffinden nor Rose can rest on safe ground.

From The Daily Beast

This was hardly an ad hominem assault, though West interpreted it that way.

From The Daily Beast

It was a masterful bit of hypocritical eloquence, of argumentum ad hominem; but it was made to simple and illiterate hearers.

From Project Gutenberg

And thus, when in future they are condemned, they will say ad hominem that they are unjust, and thus will refute their judgment.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not to this, however, that he directed his objection: the argumentum ad hominem came more easily to him.

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg