Whataboutery
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /wɒtəˈbaʊtəɹi/ · Part of speech noun
Quick meaning: Whataboutery is a noun meaning Protesting at hypocrisy; responding to criticism by accusing one's opponent of similar or worse faults.
Meaning
Protesting at hypocrisy; responding to criticism by accusing one's opponent of similar or worse faults.
More Meanings
- Protesting at inconsistency; refusing to act in one instance unless similar action is taken in other similar instances.
Example Sentences
They are skilled in whataboutery: the art of avoiding the issue.
The danger is that remembrance is used for self-righteousness, self-justification, point-scoring and what-about-ery.
We know a lot of people around us who would resort to whataboutery or hypocrisy when it is upon them to take a stand.
Criticism is stereotyped as 'civil servant bashing' or the weapon of whataboutery is unsheathed: official statements accelerate about inefficient private sector management.
Word Forms
- whatabouteries
Synonyms for whataboutery
Depending on context, synonyms include recrimination.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include hypocrisy, momism, blameshifting, interaccusation, badvocacy, categoria.
Related Dictionary Tools
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.