as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
took it as an affront that she wasn't invited to say a few words at the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
did not mean to affront you when I told you I didn't need your help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affront
Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
These constituencies view the sanctions and the tariffs as otherwise legal instruments weaponized for geopolitical purposes—and as direct affronts to Brazil’s democratic integrity.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 Sep. 2025
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
Noun
Their crimes are an affront to both American law and basic human decency.
—Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 6 Sep. 2025
These constituencies view the sanctions and the tariffs as otherwise legal instruments weaponized for geopolitical purposes—and as direct affronts to Brazil’s democratic integrity.
—Hussein Kalout, Foreign Affairs, 2 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
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The insults have been flying in the back-and-forth, and there doesn’t appear to be an end in sight for at least the short term.—
Michael Saponara,
Billboard,
3 Oct. 2025
-
Some others within the group interpreted Yahaya’s lyrics as an insult to the Prophet Muhammad.—
Sean Nelson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
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And faculty worry that teaching certain subject matter and texts might offend students and, if students complain, lead to administrative sanctions.—
Louis Menand,
New Yorker,
26 Sep. 2025
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Is the streamer afraid of offending hate groups by depicting them as hateful and/or groups?—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
24 Sep. 2025
Verb
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As if to prove the magnificent treasures within Paris now belonged to the German dictator, the statue of Great War French hero General Mangin—which outraged the Führer—was destroyed.—
Christopher C. Gorham
September 29,
Literary Hub,
29 Sep. 2025
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In fact, Western leaders are mostly appeasing domestic constituencies outraged by the suffering of ordinary Gazans.—
Bloomberg Opinion,
Twin Cities,
16 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
The sarcasm has passed down generations.—
Brian Anthony Hernandez,
PEOPLE,
27 Sep. 2025
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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
Cite this Entry
“Affront.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affront. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
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