Pronunciation: /wʌtəbaʊtəri/
noun a rhetorical technique that involves deflecting criticism by pointing out the flaws or wrongdoings of others
A1 What aboutery is when someone avoids answering a question by changing the subject.
A2 I don't like engaging in whataboutery during arguments because it never leads to a resolution.
B1 Politicians often use whataboutery to deflect criticism and avoid taking responsibility for their actions.
B2 The debate turned into a heated exchange of whataboutery, with each side trying to one-up the other.
C1 The journalist called out the politician's whataboutery during the interview, demanding a direct answer to the question.
C2 The panel discussion on ethics in journalism delved into the dangers of whataboutery in public discourse.
adjective describing the act or practice of engaging in whataboutery
A1 I don't understand all this whataboutery talk.
A2 She always engages in whataboutery arguments to deflect blame.
B1 The political debate was filled with whataboutery tactics.
B2 The whataboutery used by the defendant's lawyer was clever but ultimately unsuccessful.
C1 The journalist exposed the whataboutery of the government's response to the scandal.
C2 The whataboutery employed by the opposition party was seen as a desperate attempt to avoid addressing the real issues.
formal The debate was derailed by the constant whataboutery from both sides.
informal Stop with the whataboutery and focus on the main issue at hand.
slang I'm tired of your whataboutery, just admit you were wrong.
figurative His whataboutery was like a shield, deflecting any criticism thrown his way.
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