AFFRONT Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

affront 1 of 2

noun

Definition of affront next

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

affront

2 of 2

verb

ə-ˈfrənt

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

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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

Examples 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

Even with weeks between her conversation with Heather and this party, Meredith still sees Whitney’s business venture as a personal affront to her livelihood. —

Sarah Hagi, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2024 Azarias’s arrival, and his conviction that there may well be a future outside — out at sea, perhaps — feels like an affront to what Tania and Vida have been building, to their very co-existence. —

Manuel Betancourt, Variety, 20 Nov. 2024

Verb

The administration’s statements and actions have affronted Iraqis by appearing to ignore their sovereignty, which is still a sore subject for a country the United States invaded. —

Linda S. Robinson, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019 Perhaps their punishment will deter others who might similarly endeavor to overthrow a free and fairly conducted election, affronting the country’s values and assaulting our democracy with their deceit. —

Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for affront

Recent Examples of Synonyms for affront

Noun

This is a dangerous conflation and an insult to women who choose to cook.

Mina Holland, Vogue, 11 Jan. 2025
This can be through verbal insults, physical acts like slapping and spitting, or openly degrading someone by telling them to perform humiliating tasks (say, drinking a random glass of milk in front of your work colleagues).

Fran Tirado, Them, 10 Jan. 2025