ad hominem

1 of 2

adjective

ad ho·mi·nem (ˈ)ad-ˈhä-mə-ˌnem How to pronounce ad hominem (audio)

-nəm

: appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect

an ad hominem argument

: marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made

made an ad hominem personal attack on his rival

ad hominem

2 of 2

adverb

: in an ad hominem manner

was arguing ad hominem

Did you know?

Ad hominem literally means "to the person" in New Latin (Latin as first used in post-medieval texts). In centuries past, this adjective typically modified argument. An "argument ad hominem" (or argumentum ad hominem, to use the full New Latin phrase) was a valid method of persuasion by which one took advantage of an opponent's interests or feelings in a debate, instead of just sticking to general principles. Ad hominem later came to be used to describe an attack aimed at an opponent's character, and this is the sense more often heard today. The hostile nature of such attacks has led to an understanding of the term as meaning "against the person," rather than its original Latin meaning of "to the person."

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

One cartoon explains the concept of an ad hominem attack, in which a person attacks someone making an argument rather than addressing the merits of the argument itself.

David Ingram, NBC News, 24 Aug. 2022 There were so many comments that were generally ad hominem attacks about the mother and her failure to see the larger picture of parenting — that a gun safe is just a box.

New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 Speaking of Tesla, like populist politicians, Bitcoin proponents Elon Musk and Peter Thiel reacted to Buffett’s comments on Bitcoin with ad hominem attacks.

Peter Cohan, Forbes, 3 May 2022 But particular rhetorical tactics, including namecalling, accusations of bad faith, ad hominem attacks, or categorical dismissal of certain positions almost certainly won't.

Samuel Goldman, The Week, 21 Mar. 2022 Dogma, ad hominem attacks, and hate speech were not permissible.

Jennifer Miller, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2022 Employ ad hominem attacks as legitimate charges against that enemy.

Zadie Smith, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2022 This bald assertion is followed by a lofty shutting-down of any debate on the matter—yet there’s been no substantive rejection of my arguments, only woolly appeals to subjectivity and ad hominem remarks.

Harper’s Magazine , 18 Jan. 2022 Trump is such a facile talker — one who specializes in dazzling displays of distraction, ad hominem attacks and repetition — that challenging him effectively in real time can be almost impossible.

Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2022 See More

单词	ad hominem
释义	ad hominem 1 of 2 adjective ad ho·mi·nem (ˈ)ad-ˈhä-mə-ˌnem -nəm 1 : appealing to feelings or prejudices rather than intellect an ad hominem argument 2 : marked by or being an attack on an opponent's character rather than by an answer to the contentions made made an ad hominem personal attack on his rival ad hominem 2 of 2 adverb : in an ad hominem manner was arguing ad hominem Did you know? Ad hominem literally means "to the person" in New Latin (Latin as first used in post-medieval texts). In centuries past, this adjective typically modified argument. An "argument ad hominem" (or argumentum ad hominem, to use the full New Latin phrase) was a valid method of persuasion by which one took advantage of an opponent's interests or feelings in a debate, instead of just sticking to general principles. Ad hominem later came to be used to describe an attack aimed at an opponent's character, and this is the sense more often heard today. The hostile nature of such attacks has led to an understanding of the term as meaning "against the person," rather than its original Latin meaning of "to the person." Example Sentences Recent Examples on the Web Adverb One cartoon explains the concept of an ad hominem attack, in which a person attacks someone making an argument rather than addressing the merits of the argument itself. David Ingram, NBC News, 24 Aug. 2022 There were so many comments that were generally ad hominem attacks about the mother and her failure to see the larger picture of parenting — that a gun safe is just a box. New York Times, 21 Aug. 2022 Speaking of Tesla, like populist politicians, Bitcoin proponents Elon Musk and Peter Thiel reacted to Buffett’s comments on Bitcoin with ad hominem attacks. Peter Cohan, Forbes, 3 May 2022 But particular rhetorical tactics, including namecalling, accusations of bad faith, ad hominem attacks, or categorical dismissal of certain positions almost certainly won't. Samuel Goldman, The Week, 21 Mar. 2022 Dogma, ad hominem attacks, and hate speech were not permissible. Jennifer Miller, The Atlantic, 4 Feb. 2022 Employ ad hominem attacks as legitimate charges against that enemy. Zadie Smith, The New Yorker, 23 Jan. 2022 This bald assertion is followed by a lofty shutting-down of any debate on the matter—yet there’s been no substantive rejection of my arguments, only woolly appeals to subjectivity and ad hominem remarks. Harper’s Magazine , 18 Jan. 2022 Trump is such a facile talker — one who specializes in dazzling displays of distraction, ad hominem attacks and repetition — that challenging him effectively in real time can be almost impossible. Washington Post, 14 Jan. 2022 See More Word History Etymology Adjective borrowed from New Latin, literally, "to the person" Adverb derivative of ad hominem entry 1 First Known Use Adjective 1598, in the meaning defined at sense 1 Adverb 1588, in the meaning defined above
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ad hominem

adjective

adverb

Did you know?

Example Sentences

Word History