affront 1 of 2

Definition of affrontnext

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

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
Any tension between them, though, stems from personal affronts, while their ideological differences exist as a largely unremarked upon undercurrent. Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026 The other is against sanctuary cities who see these crimes as secondary concerns and immigration law enforcement as an affront. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 6 Mar. 2026
Verb
At one point, I felt genuinely affronted when the edge of my pinky brushed gently on the wall. Blair Braverman, Outside Online, 27 Aug. 2025 Attention also has centered on, among other things, the misuse of AI, deepfakes, hallucinations, AI’s effect on jobs, and safeguarding values that certain AI applications might affront. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 20 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affront
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affront
Noun
  • There are comic insults and lines of great beauty.
    Christopher Arnott, Hartford Courant, 21 Apr. 2026
  • The president often hurled insults at Bezos and his ownership of The Washington Post, as well as his tax record.
    Annie Palmer,Justin Papp, CNBC, 21 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • But Driskell, the professor, said that the image seemed to offend even many in far-right Christian nationalist groups Trump has always counted on.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 23 Apr. 2026
  • My friend has always been ultra-sensitive, easily offended, misconstruing my questions.
    R. Eric Thomas, Chicago Tribune, 21 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • My reaction was pure confusion, sarcasm and not ill intended.
    Ilana Kaplan, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026
  • Though dramatic at its core, this revival infuses a levity and sarcasm that alleviate much of its heaviness.
    Aramide Tinubu, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The camp's plan to reopen part of the campus this summer and host nearly 900 girls has outraged the families of the girls killed.
    CBS News, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026
  • On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
    Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Affront.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affront. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.

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