flame war
Heated internet argument
A flame war is an extended exchange of hostile messages online, where participants attack each other with increasing intensity.
The term dates from early internet forums and Usenet groups, where disputes would escalate as users traded insults and provocations: The thread devolved into a flame war over tabs versus spaces.
To flame is to post such attacks.
Provoking reactions online
- threadFiber for stitching
- forumGathering place for discourse
- comment sectionSpace for reader responses
- social mediaOnline content-sharing platforms
moderator · ban · troll · flaming · subreddit · post · keyboard warrior · cyberbullying
Intense hostile emotion
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- furyIntense violent anger
- rageIntense, violent anger
- hostilityAntagonistic disposition toward others
resentment · spite · contempt · indignation · offense · umbrage · butthurt · saltiness
Reasoned case or dispute
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
- clashViolent disagreement or collision
quarrel · altercation · spat · squabble · confrontation · hostility · animosity · bickering
Offensive remark or action
- attackAggressive act against another
- rantAngry prolonged outburst
- tiradeExtended angry speech
- vitriolBitter, scathing criticism
invective · accusation · name-calling · ad hominem · strawman · whataboutism · gotcha · snark
trolling
Provoking reactions online
- threadFiber for stitching
- forumGathering place for discourse
- comment sectionSpace for reader responses
social media · moderator · ban · troll · flaming · subreddit · post · keyboard warrior · cyberbullying · viral
anger
Intense hostile emotion
hostility · resentment · spite · contempt · indignation · offense · umbrage · butthurt · saltiness · bitterness
argument
Reasoned case or dispute
- disputeVerbal clash over differences
- disagreementAbsence of shared opinion
- feudBitter ongoing rivalry
clash · quarrel · altercation · spat · squabble · confrontation · hostility · animosity · bickering · vendetta
insult
Offensive remark or action
vitriol · invective · accusation · name-calling · ad hominem · strawman · whataboutism · gotcha · snark · sarcasm
- verbal fightsargument, quarrel, dispute, confrontation, shouting match
- cyber conflictstrolling, cyberbullying, online harassment, doxing, doxxing
- netiquetteread receipts, ghosting, emoji use, typing indicator, privacy settings
- online forumsforums, forum, message board, message boards, discussion board
- BBSBBS, sysop, modem, dial-up, message board
- early internetARPANET, TCP/IP, FTP, email, Usenet
flame warcivil discourse
Respectful exchange of views
polite conversation · diplomatic exchange · measured response · reasoned argument
war, flame, flames, wars, inflame, flammable, inflammation, aflame, inflammatory