Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

name-calling

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: 4.87 in modern English

Syllables: name--call-ing
IPA

16

Scrabble Score

11

Letters

4

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

The use of derogatory labels in verbal attacks on a person or other entity.

Countable; Uncountable

verb

present participle and gerund of name-call

Example Sentences

"So inflammatory were the words of some preachers during these trying years that a resolution to silence, by mayoral proclamation, a continuation of name-calling from the pulpit was presented to the city council by one would-be pacifier."
"The next day things got heated in the schoolyard as the name calling began. It was three against one."
"[…] a former Republican lawmaker who left the Legislature earlier this year after she clashed with party leaders over a series of proposed transgender bills and closed-door meetings, she said, devolved into yelling and name-calling."
"Can dark woke get the Democrats a Senate seat back in Ohio? What about Montana? Will enough name-calling put the Democrats in the mix in Missouri? It’s unlikely."

Etymology

From name + calling. Compare call names.

Usage

Inflected Forms

name-callings (plural) name calling (alternative) namecalling (alternative)

Phrases

call names name-call name-caller call someone every name in the book

Frequently Paired Words

call names name-call name-caller call someone every name in the book mudslinging

Questions

What does name-calling mean?: The use of derogatory labels in verbal attacks on a person or other entity.
Where does name-calling come from?: From name + calling. Compare call names.

How to pronounce name-calling

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