Whataboutism

Quick meaning: Whataboutism is a noun meaning (rhetoric) A logical fallacy where criticisms are deflected by raising unrelated criticisms of the opposite side.

Meaning

(rhetoric) A logical fallacy where criticisms are deflected by raising unrelated criticisms of the opposite side.

Example Sentences

what was known during Soviet times, as 'whataboutism'

Soviet propagandists during the cold war were trained in a tactic that their western interlocutors nicknamed 'whataboutism'.

This particular brand of changing the subject is called 'whataboutism' — a simple rhetorical tactic heavily used by the Soviet Union and, later, Russia.

There's another attitude ... that many Russians seem to share, what used to be called in the Soviet Union 'whataboutism,' in other words, 'who are you to call the kettle black?'

Word Forms

• whataboutisms

Synonyms for whataboutism

Depending on context, synonyms include whataboutery.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include counterpropaganda, both-sidesism, bothsidesism, agitprop, counterargumentation, counter-opposition.

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