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Synonyms

name-calling

American  
[neym-kaw-ling] / ˈneɪmˌkɔ lɪŋ /

noun

  1. the use of abusive names to belittle or humiliate another person in a political campaign, an argument, etc.

name-calling British  

noun

  1. verbal abuse, esp as a crude form of argument

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of name-calling

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

So I’m just curious if there’s some weird middle ground that dissenting justices and lower-court judges need to find so that it doesn’t look like name-calling or editorializing?

From Slate • Oct. 6, 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

"There are few other areas of healthcare where professionals are so afraid to openly discuss their views, where people are vilified on social media, and where name-calling echoes the worst bullying behaviour."

From BBC • Apr. 9, 2024

They should’ve known better, since they themselves had to put up with name-calling all the time.

From "The Son of Neptune" by Rick Riordan

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.