affront 1 of 2

affront

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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
All that mattered was the affront to the king. Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 Sep. 2025 Many lawmakers speaking shortly before Wednesday’s voting, however, saw it as an affront to the institution of family. Chris Lau, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Verb
Still, whatever his ideological misgivings or sense of being personally affronted, the mayor would be wise to listen to the City Council and add this ordinance to the police’s toolbox for keeping everyone safe. The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 20 June 2025 The weaving of such a powerful — and in the view of some true believers, actually magical — drug within the broader social fabric may affront some true-believing psychonauts’ own purity tests. John Semley, Rolling Stone, 19 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for affront
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affront
Noun
  • Several diss tracks followed, with the musicians hurling increasingly spiteful insults at each other relating to accusations of domestic abuse, exploitation and pedophilia.
    Ethan Millman, HollywoodReporter, 9 Oct. 2025
  • After a small crowd outside Boston’s customs house pelted redcoats with rocks, snowballs, and insults, the soldiers opened fire, killing five and wounding 12 more.
    Time, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Such restrictions on the sale of chips offended China, Luria said, and ultimately led to Beijing limiting the purchase of chips to their companies.
    Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The soldiers’ pastimes of drinking, gambling, and brawling also offended many Bostonians, who retained the piety of their Pilgrim ancestors.
    Time, Time, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Conservatives were particularly outraged by Joe Biden’s higher-ed agenda.
    Emma Green, New Yorker, 13 Oct. 2025
  • That flip reference outraged Pulte.
    Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • The sarcasm has passed down generations.
    Brian Anthony Hernandez, PEOPLE, 27 Sep. 2025
  • The decision in Gardner’s favor could become a significant ruling for celebrities who use humor, exaggeration and sarcasm that some might find inappropriate when responding to strangers on social media platforms.
    Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 25 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Affront.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affront. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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