Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
×

Thesaurus

affront

noun

Synonyms and Antonyms of affront

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
  • She took it as an affront that she wasn't asked to attend.
Synonyms of affront

barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, epithet, indignity, insult, name, offense (or offence), outrage, personality, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slap, slight, slur
Words Related to affront

catcall, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, quip, sneer, taunt

abuse, invective, vituperation

disapproval, opprobrium

disgrace, dishonor, shame

attack, criticism, knock, slam, swipe

torment, torture
Near Antonyms of affront

accolade, commendation, compliment

acclaim, applause, praise

adulation, flattery

affront

verb

Synonyms and Antonyms of affront

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
  • I did not mean to affront you when I told you I didn't need your help.
Synonyms of affront

disrespect, insult, offend, outrage, slap, slight, wound
Words Related to affront

cut, snub

displease, distress, disturb, hurt, miff, pain, trouble, upset

jeer, mock, ridicule, sneer (at), taunt

defame, disparage, libel, malign, revile, slander, slur, smear

oppress, persecute, torment, torture
Near Antonyms of affront

acclaim, applaud, approve, hail

commend, compliment, eulogize, praise

adulate, flatter, sweet-talk

exalt, glorify, honor

delight, gratify, please, satisfy

Synonym Discussion of affront

offend, outrage, affront, insult mean to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment. 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
outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.
    • outraged by their accusations
affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.
    • deeply affronted by his callousness
insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.
    • insulted every guest at the party

Learn More about affront

  1. See words that rhyme with affront Dictionary: Definition of affront Spanish Central: Translation of affront Nglish: Translation of affront for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of affront for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up affront? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games