NAME CALLING

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does name calling mean? 

• NAME CALLING (noun)
  The noun NAME CALLING has 1 sense:

1. verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

  Familiarity information: NAME CALLING used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• NAME CALLING (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Verbal abuse; a crude substitute for argument

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

name calling; names

Context example:

sticks and stones may break my bones but names can never hurt me

Hypernyms ("name calling" is a kind of...):

calumniation; calumny; defamation; hatchet job; obloquy; traducement (a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone's words or actions)

 Context examples 

Sometimes it involves direct attacks such as hitting, name calling, teasing or taunting.

(Bullying, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)