Well-read · Arguing & persuading
Ad hominem: meaning, pronunciation and examples
Ad hominem phrase. Attacking the person who makes an argument rather than the argument itself.
How to say it
ad HOM-ih-nem/ˌad ˈhɒmɪnɛm/
4 syllables, stressed on the second (HOM).
Ad hominem in a sentence
Calling her a hypocrite is an ad hominem; it says nothing about whether she's right.
The debate sank into ad hominem jabs about each other's haircuts.
Similar and opposite
Similar:
- personal attack
- mudslinging
Where ad hominem comes from
Latin for 'to the person'.
Test yourself
Which word fills the gap?
The debate sank into _____ jabs about each other's haircuts.
- ad hominem
- straw man
- ipse dixit
Show the answer
ad hominem: The debate sank into ad hominem jabs about each other's haircuts.