Get more practice with the workbook
Build vocabulary faster with structured lessons and activities.
4.6
✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 147 categorized lessons, 428 practical activities, 632 pages.
✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.
✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT
4.8
✔ Add 2,000 must-know adjectives to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 99 categorized lessons, 232 practical activities, 354 pages.
✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.
✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT
4.8
✔ Add 1,500 must-know verbs to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 70 categorized lessons, 175 practical activities, 266 pages.
✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.
✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT
ad-hominem
Ad-hominem (adjective) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology
IPA:
What does ad-hominem mean?
Attacking a person's character, rather than addressing the substance of their argument or position.
"The ad hominem remark was out of place in the professional setting."
Detailed Meaning of Ad-hominem
It is derived from the Latin phrase "ad hominem," which means "to the person." When someone uses an ad hominem argument, they attack the character or personality of their opponent rather than engaging with their ideas or opinions. This can take many forms, including insults, personal attacks, or appeals to emotion. Ad hominem arguments are often used as a way to distract from the substance of an argument or to discredit the person making the argument. However, they are considered to be fallacious reasoning, as they do not address the merits of the argument itself. In essence, 'ad hominem' implies that someone is attacking the person rather than addressing the issue at hand, and it is generally viewed as a negative and ineffective form of argumentation.
Example Sentences for Ad-hominem
1. The debater resorted to ad-hominem attacks instead of addressing the opponent's argument.
2. It's important to focus on the issues rather than engaging in ad-hominem criticism.
3. She dismissed his ad-hominem insults and continued to present her case.
4. The politician's campaign strategy included using ad-hominem attacks against their opponents.
5. The journalist criticized the article for its reliance on ad-hominem arguments.
6. The speaker's ad-hominem remarks undermined the credibility of their entire presentation.
Origin and Etymology of Ad-hominem
The adjective 'ad-hominem' is a Latin term, directly derived from the Latin phrase 'ad hominem,' which means 'to the person' or 'against the person.' It is a compound of 'ad,' signifying 'to' or 'against,' and 'hominem,' meaning 'man' or 'person.' The etymology of 'ad-hominem' underscores its nature as a rhetorical or argumentative technique that involves attacking an opponent's character, credibility, or personal traits, rather than engaging with the substance of their argument or position. This tactic aims to discredit the person making the argument rather than addressing the validity of the argument itself, often diverting attention away from the actual issues being debated.
Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding
Find the correct meaning of the adjective ad-hominem:
Try Again!
Correct!
More Usage Examples of Ad-hominem
1. The professor reminded the class to engage in respectful discussions without resorting to ad-hominem attacks.
2. The online forum became toxic with ad-hominem exchanges between users.
3. The courtroom erupted with ad-hominem accusations, overshadowing the trial proceedings.
4. The ad-hominem criticism only served to detract from the real issues at hand.
5. The author's response to the negative review was an ad-hominem rant, rather than addressing the critique.
6. The candidate's supporters engaged in ad-hominem smears against their opponent on social media.
7. The ad-hominem remarks made during the debate devolved into personal insults.
8. The talk show host was notorious for using ad-hominem attacks to discredit guests with differing opinions.
9. The ad-hominem approach undermined the credibility of the research study.
10. The student's response was an ad-hominem dismissal of the teacher's feedback.
11. The ad-hominem comments from the audience disrupted the speaker's presentation.
12. The newspaper published an editorial condemning the use of ad-hominem arguments in political campaigns.
13. The lawyer's defense relied on ad-hominem character attacks rather than presenting substantive evidence.
14. The ad-hominem nature of the conversation hindered any productive discussion.
Synonyms and Related Words for Ad-hominem
Related Vocabulary Practice
Test your understanding of ad-hominem in related quizzes, flashcards, and spelling activities:
Annoyance and Irritation
Choose an activity:
Anguish and Despair
Choose an activity:
Scorn and Censure
Choose an activity:
Mockery and Insults
Choose an activity:
✔ Add 3,700 must-know words to your vocabulary.
✔ All-in-one dictionary, thesaurus, & workbook.
✔ 147 categorized lessons, 428 practical activities, 632 pages.
✔ Suitable for students & professionals of all ages.
✔ Ideal preparation for: TOEFL, TOEIC, IELTS, SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT