Sea lion

/ˈsiːlaɪən/ · verb

Meaning

(Internet slang, derogatory) To intrude on a conversation with probing questions in an attempt to engage in unwanted debate, usually disingenuously as a form of harassment or trolling..

Definitions by Sense

1. (Internet slang, derogatory) To intrude on a conversation with probing questions in an attempt to engage in unwanted debate, usually disingenuously as a form of harassment or trolling.
2. (uncommon) Alternative form of sea lion.
3. (Internet slang, derogatory) One who engages in sealioning.

Example Sentences

There, Peggy speaks for every angry marginalised person who’s ever been sealioned or tone-policed in a disagreement.

The purpose of sealioning never to actually learn or become more informed.

I can attest to reactionary right-wing trolls being the black belt masters of Internet pile-ons, or as Wondermark has indelibly dubbed the practice, “sealioning.”

Popular definitions of harassment also extend to “sealioning” — a recently coined term based on an Internet comic, “The Terrible Sea Lion” — which seems to mean little more than unwelcome attempts to engage someone in debate.

Randi's list is a key reason I've been able to continue to use Twitter, as it prevents relentless ideological sealions from crowding my mentions.

Synonyms for sea lion

Antonyms for sea lion

Related Words

Word Forms

• sealions
• sealioning
• sealioned
• sea lion

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

Practice and Learn More

Frequently Asked Questions