name calling
Slinging hurtful labels
Name calling is the use of insulting or abusive labels to attack someone rather than engaging with their arguments or character substantively: The debate devolved into name calling.
It's a common accusation in political discourse, where opponents dismiss criticism as mere name calling to avoid addressing it: That's not an argument, that's just name calling.
- bullyingAggressive repeated intimidation
- epithetDescriptive tag for someone
- insultOffensive remark or action
- personal attackCriticism aimed at someone directly
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
ad hominem · cheap shot · put down · slur · humiliation · pejorative · apology · dignity · scapegoating · ridicule · nickname · shame · teasing · hurt feelings · ostracism · taunt · self-esteem · mobbing
- bad mannersrudeness, impoliteness, discourtesy, incivility, disrespect
- minor offensesminor offense, white lie, petty offense, fib, jaywalking
- disparagementdefame, denigrate, disparage, malign, slander
- intimidationthreats, threatening, menacing, intimidate, bullying
- red flagsred flags, warning signs, warning, caution, alarm
- school mischiefspitballs, note passing, passing notes, cheating, copying
name callingpraise
Expression of approval
complimenting · flattery · commendation · affirmation · encouragement
name callingphysical aggression
Forceful harmful bodily contact
physical violence · hitting · physical assault · striking · bodily harm
name, calling, names, named, naming, nameless, namely, namesake, call