Advanced and Proficiency Vocabulary for Exams(e.g.GRE, Banks, Civil Services, SAT / LSAT). For IELTS/TOEFL, and everyday spoken vocabulary, go to our Spoken Vocabulary Database.
directed against a person rather than their argument(s)
- How to Memorize
- ad hominem - personal
- Analysis
The formal word ‘ad hominem’ has become quite popular in modern political discourse, particularly since the rise of social media. It expresses an emotion-driven and anti-intellectual form of criticism or debating that ignores the argument somebody has made and instead focuses on attacking their character. This is done as a malicious and disingenuous way of claiming a cheap victory and appeals purely to emotion rather than reason.
Exam DB Spoken DB Other Synonyms maliciousdisingenuous unscrupulous, Antonyms judicious pertinent, bona fide, - Example(s)
Why don’t you actually try to refute what Tim has said instead of just launching into an expletive-ridden ad hominem attack?
At the debate, the two politicians barely discussed their policies. They just engaged in petty ad hominem rhetoric.
Bringing up my failed marriage to score cheap points against me is pathetic. Do you have anything to offer other than ad hominem arguments?
