fighting words
noun plural
fight·ing words
: words which by their very utterance are likely to inflict harm on or provoke a breach of the peace by the average person to whom they are directed
Note: Fighting words are not protected speech under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
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“Fighting words.” Merriam-Webster.com Legal Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/fighting%20words. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.
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