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name

name

7.9
A word used to hurt or insult someone
  • noun
  • /neɪm/
  • Offensive
translation icon : insulto
  • He says he is here to clear his name and set the record straight.
  • call someone names
  • name-calling
  • teasing and name-calling

For instance, he changed one person's name to nice thick chin strap, asshole.

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Examples

  • I called you nasty names during our argument.

  • His friends rallied to support him after he was given cruel names at school.

  • A golden opportunity to clear my name.

  • Like many exonerees, he struggled to clear his name and his record so he could get work.

    Academic text (2011)
  • It's a blatant attempt to blacken my name.

  • This might be seen as a tactic to blacken the name of a rival.

  • She refused to respond to the names that were thrown at her online.

Synonyms

shot
vsname
  • Offensive
175 5.9

A short angry remark meant to hurt or criticize someone

is a word or phrase used to insult or damage reputation more generally
abuse
vsname
  • Offensive
155 3.4

Rude or insulting words said to hurt someone

is the specific label for a single insulting word or phrase
mud
vsname
55 7.4

False or damaging words meant to hurt someone's reputation

is the shorter insulting lexical item that may also damage reputation
smear
vsname
49 5.7

A false or unfair statement meant to hurt someone's reputation

is focused on words or phrases used to insult as well as defame
defamation
vsname
  • Formal
40 7.1

To harm someone's reputation by saying untrue things about them in public

can include single insulting words or phrases even if not legally false
name-calling
vsname
  • Offensive
38 4.9

Using rude words to insult someone

is the broader class of insulting words and phrases rather than the act
slam
vsname
  • Offensive
34 6.3

An insulting remark meant to hurt someone

is the short lexical unit rather than a longer spoken attack
epithet
vsname
  • Offensive
17 8.7

An insulting word or phrase that hurts someone

is the general term that can cover such single cruel words
aspersion
vsname
11 9.8

A remark that says bad things about someone to hurt their reputation

is the specific insulting word or phrase that may cause that harm
mudslinging
vsname
  • Literature
9 4.8

Making unfair personal attacks to damage someone's reputation in politics

is the single word or phrase form, not a prolonged attack campaign
vilification
vsname
  • Formal
6 8.4

Saying or writing very harsh and unfair things about someone to damage their reputation

is the concise insulting word or phrase rather than wide harsh attacks
denigration
vsname
  • Offensive
5 8.4

Unfair criticism that makes someone or their work seem bad

is the shorter lexical form used to insult or to damage reputation
calumny
vsname
  • Formal
4 9.3

A false statement that damages someone's reputation

is shorter and not necessarily false, covering insults or reputational harm
disparagement
vsname
3 8.1

Talking about someone in a way that shows dislike and makes them seem unimportant

is limited to single insulting words or phrases rather than general speech
name calling
vsname
  • Offensive
2 4.9

Using insulting words to hurt or shame someone instead of discussing the problem

focuses on words or phrases used to insult or harm reputation
insulting remark
vsname
  • Offensive
1 3.2

A rude comment meant to hurt someone or show no respect

emphasizes the specific insulting word or phrase rather than any remark
dysphemism
vsname
  • Offensive
9.9

An insulting word used instead of a more neutral one

is broader, covering any insulting word or phrase not only substitutions
smear word
vsname
  • Offensive
7.9

A word used to hurt someone's reputation unfairly

is a general label for words or phrases that insult or defame
names
vsname
  • Offensive
5.6

Words someone says to hurt another person

adds that such expressions may also be used to damage reputation
revilement
vsname
  • Offensive
9.3

A set of harsh insulting words meant to hurt someone

is the term for a word or phrase used to insult or defame
derogation
vsname
8.6

A comment or action that makes someone feel unimportant

narrows this to specific insulting words or phrases used to defame

Antonyms

342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

Idioms

195 3.7

With someone's permission or official authority to act for them

To become known for what you do by working hard

11 6.0

The most important thing in a situation or activity

9 6.1

A title with no real power or duties

you name it
  • Informal
7 7.2

Anything you can think of is included

5 6.5

Having a title but not the real power or responsibilities

To be for a certain person, often you

name is mud
  • Archaic
2 9.9

People think badly of someone because they did something wrong

To show clearly that something is typical of a person or made by them

in heaven's name
  • Informal
1 7.3

People say it to show surprise, anger, or a strong need for an answer

in God's name
  • Informal
1 7.9

Words people say to show strong surprise, anger or urgency in a question

To say you want to be chosen for a job or position

People are friendly and call each other by their first names

People say this jokingly about someone who often does dangerous things

8.6

To call someone many rude names

her name is mud
  • Informal
9.9

Someone people blame or dislike after they do something others do not like

7.3

A very strong personal quality that shows what someone is like

Compounds

300 1.0

A name people in the same family share, usually after the first name

178 1.0

A name given at birth used before the family name

62 1.8

A name that comes between a person's first name and last name

45 3.1

A woman's last name before she marries

43 3.5

A famous and important person or group in one area

41 1.6

A small badge that shows a person's name to identify them

name-calling
  • Offensive
38 4.9

Using rude words to insult someone

34 1.0

The name a person shares with other family members, not the given name

33 1.6

A name a company gives to a product or service to show it is different from others

Information that shows who someone is and where they receive mail

domain name
  • Texting
26 3.3

A unique address made of letters and numbers separated by dots that people type to visit a website

19 3.6

A different name used publicly by an actor or musician

13 2.0

The name a person has before their family name

pet name
  • Informal
11 2.1

A special short name people use for someone they care about

10 3.5

A name an author uses instead of their real name when publishing

9 3.9

A made-up name someone uses to hide who they are

A person's first name given at birth or baptism

6 6.3

A name someone uses instead of their real name to hide who they are

4 1.4

The official name a business registers with the government

4 1.0

The official word used to find a road and write addresses

4 2.7

Name used to tell which computer file it is, often showing its type

proper name
  • Specialized
4 4.9

A name for a specific person, place, or thing that we write with a capital letter

4 2.3

A name for a town, area, or land feature

4 8.8

A slang word for an illegal drug

The name shown on a book or article that tells who wrote it

brand-name drug
  • Specialized
3 4.2

A medicine sold under a company's name that only that company sells

Mentioning famous people to try to impress others

street name
  • Slang
3 8.2

A name a person uses instead of their real one, often in city groups

name calling
  • Offensive
2 4.9

Using insulting words to hurt or shame someone instead of discussing the problem

2 7.5

A day when people celebrate someone who has a saint's name

2 2.9

A name a company gives to a product or service to sell it

assumed name
  • Formal
1 6.9

A name a business uses that is different from its legal name

name dropper
  • Offensive
1 8.1

A person who mentions famous people to seem important

The name of the person who wrote it

1 7.8

A name a business uses that is not its legal registered name

A famous director who makes films, TV shows, or plays

A name given to someone in a Christian church ceremony when they are a baby

file name extension
  • Specialized
3.5

A few letters or numbers after a file name that show the file type

name part
  • Jargon
8.3

The role of the character whose name is in the title

4.0

A name for a part of something larger

A name used temporarily for a person or thing when the real name is unknown

slave name
  • NSFW
9.9

A name someone uses when they play a submissive part in adult role-play

street name
  • Specialized
9.5

A way of holding shares where a broker is listed instead of the owner

whole name
  • Specialized
9.0

The name of the whole thing that parts belong to, like 'tree' for branches

Surface Forms

name singular
names plural

Etymology

Name as in 'calling someone names' comes from the same old idea of a 'word for a person'. So to 'call names' is to use words for someone to hurt or insult them.