godwin: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Informal, Internet slang
Quick answer
What does “godwin” mean?
To invoke a comparison to Adolf Hitler or the Nazis in an online discussion, often signaling that the discussion has become unproductive.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To invoke a comparison to Adolf Hitler or the Nazis in an online discussion, often signaling that the discussion has become unproductive.
The act of escalating an argument by making a hyperbolic, often irrelevant, comparison to Hitler or the Nazis, typically leading to the termination of the debate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is identical in both dialects, being a product of international Internet culture.
Connotations
Carries a negative connotation of derailing a discussion through reductio ad Hitlerum.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in formal contexts but recognized within tech, media, and online communities.
Grammar
How to Use “godwin” in a Sentence
[Subject] godwins [object (thread/discussion)][Subject] was godwinnedVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “godwin” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He managed to godwin the debate in under five comments.
- The forum moderator warned users not to godwin every political thread.
American English
- Someone just godwinned the entire Reddit thread.
- Don't godwin the argument; it makes you look desperate.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in informal internal communications about online debates.
Academic
Used in media studies, internet sociology, and discourse analysis.
Everyday
Used in online forums, social media comments, and informal discussions about internet culture.
Technical
Used in tech journalism and community moderation discussions.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “godwin”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “godwin”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “godwin”
- Using 'godwin' as a noun for the person (instead of the act)
- Capitalizing it incorrectly (often lowercased as a verb)
- Confusing it with the surname Godwin.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a recognized verb in modern English, originating from Internet slang (Godwin's Law). It is found in online dictionaries and used in tech journalism.
It is highly informal and specific to discussions about online culture, discourse, or media. It is not appropriate for most formal academic or business writing.
It comes from 'Godwin's Law', named after American attorney and author Mike Godwin, who formulated the observation in 1990.
The primary action is verbal. The related noun is 'Godwinning' (the act) or the proper noun 'Godwin's Law'. Using 'godwin' as a noun for a person is non-standard.
To invoke a comparison to Adolf Hitler or the Nazis in an online discussion, often signaling that the discussion has become unproductive.
Godwin: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡɒdwɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡɑːdwɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Godwin's Law”
- “Hitler card”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'God-win' as in 'Godwin's Law wins' the argument by ending it with a Hitler comparison.
Conceptual Metaphor
ONLINE ARGUMENT IS A SLIPPERY SLOPE (leading to a Nazi comparison).
Practice
Quiz
What does it mean 'to godwin' a thread?