a slap in the face

noun phrase

: a surprising act that offends or insults someone
Her decision to leave the company to work for our competitors was a slap in the face.

Examples of a slap in the face in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
To ignore the voters is a slap in the face of democracy. George Skelton, Mercury News, 3 June 2025 This tax holiday on guns is irresponsible, coldly political and a slap in the face to the victims and their families. Tina Polsky, Sun Sentinel, 8 July 2025 Yankee Doodle Dandy The words to this song were written as a slap in the face to Americans. Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 2 July 2025 Having to watch someone who has been accused of four counts of rape play every week really is a slap in the face for the survivors. Matt Slater, New York Times, 31 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for a slap in the face

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“A slap in the face.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/a%20slap%20in%20the%20face. Accessed 3 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!