fighting words
The term "fighting words" is primarily used in U.S. law to describe speech that can incite violence and is not protected by the First Amendment.
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🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
C1Communication
(informal)Remarks intended to incite a physical confrontation.
Example
- His aggressive taunts were seen as fighting words, escalating the argument.
C2Legal
(technical, American)Words that provoke a violent reaction and are not protected by free speech laws due to their potential to cause immediate harm.
Example
- The court ruled that his comments were fighting words, not protected by the First Amendment.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "fighting words":