affront 1 of 2

affront

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word affront distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of affront are insult, offend, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When is it sensible to use insult instead of affront?

While the synonyms insult and affront are close in meaning, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When can offend be used instead of affront?

Although the words offend and affront have much in common, offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

In what contexts can outrage take the place of affront?

The synonyms outrage and affront are sometimes interchangeable, but outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of affront
Noun
Santos’s blatant corruption is an affront to our electoral process, our representative government, and the people of New York’s Third Congressional District. Barnini Chakraborty, The Washington Examiner, 25 Apr. 2025 But an absolute prohibition on NATO membership not only is an affront to Ukrainian sovereignty — Ukraine should be able to decide its alliances for itself — but also sends a signal that undermines the credibility of any security guarantees Kyiv receives from the West. The Editors, National Review, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
The two women, initially welcomed, soon affront their hosts with their pesky independence of mind and spirit. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024 For a sense of how Raheem Sterling might be feeling right now, consider that this is a player who felt affronted from the moment his starting place at Manchester City began to come under threat. Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024 See All Example Sentences for affront
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affront
Noun
  • People hurled insults as the police started taking down the barricades.
    Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 7 May 2025
  • Sarandos, playing a cheeky version of himself, delivers a sharp line about contractual award show shout-outs before signing off with an insult.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 7 May 2025
Verb
  • Kaplan, the keeper of the NFLPA arbitration process, was clearly offended by France’s conduct.
    Chris Deubert, Forbes.com, 17 May 2025
  • The offending employees were moved to different cottages.
    Jeff Mcdonald, Mercury News, 12 May 2025
Verb
  • Race aside, police brutality by anyone against anyone should outrage everyone.
    Leonard Greene, New York Daily News, 11 May 2025
  • The concert outraged many Mexicans, and Michoacan Gov. Alfredo Ramírez Bedolla soon announced a ban on public performances that glorify crime and violence.
    Kate Linthicum, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Noun
  • Think of Wendy’s social media interactions that use wit, humor and just the right bit of sarcasm to give the brand a personality all its own.
    Ken Braun, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025
  • Ten years ago, Phish seemed like a massive long-shot to ever score a nomination, with a nearly insurmountable mountain of sarcasm from critics standing between Phish and the Rock Hall.
    Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Affront.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affront. Accessed 23 May. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affront

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!