affronting 1 of 2

adjective

as in insulting

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affronting

2 of 2

verb

present participle of affront
as in offending
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

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 affronting
Adjective
But the pop culture of twelve years ago is baffling, uncanny, affronting. — Literary Hub, 12 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affronting
  1. insulting
  2. offending
  3. outrageous
  4. outraging
  5. offensive
  6. abusive
  7. indecent
  8. vituperative
Adjective
  • Even instances of heckling at games – over performance on the court – felt good-natured, rather than insulting.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The adventures of Addison’s titular shilling include being hoarded, offered as a bribe, and sent as an insulting accompaniment to a letter disinheriting a son.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of insulting
Verb
  • Here’s what to bring, when to show up and how to ask for a better price without offending the person who grew your dinner.
    — Lauren Schuster, Sacbee.com, 1 Sep. 2026
  • DeChatelet, an acting instructor at Florida Atlantic University, uses his halting speech to depict a person who’s afraid of offending anyone.
    — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of offending
Adjective
  • There’s no outrageous violence or unpleasant caricatures, and the 157-minute runtime feels breezy.
    — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • As Tassion took in their work, an idea — perhaps an outrageous one — formed in his mind.
    — Leila Sloman, Quanta Magazine, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Verb
  • The Hitlerite hordes are murdering and outraging the peaceful inhabitants of our country, having no mercy on women, children or old people.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 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
Definition of outraging
Adjective
  • The low rate wasn’t just an offensive coordinator preference.
    — Ted Nguyen, New York Times, 7 Sep. 2026
Definition of offensive
Adjective
  • Many viewers left that film unconvinced Rockwell’s abusive cop deserved the redemption he was given.
    — Nate Jones, Vulture, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Reminiscent of the discussions around Michael Jackson’s upbringing, this Lanterns episode has sparked specific conversations about parenting Black boys and children into greatness, and what actions constitute abusive or unhealthy parenting.
    — Ronda Racha Penrice, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of abusive
Adjective
  • Among the additional counts against Andrew are allegations of making or distributing indecent images of children and possessing extreme pornography.
    — Jonny Hallam, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
  • The additional charges filed last month against Andrew Tate include seven counts of rape, 15 counts of making or distributing indecent images of children and four counts of possession of extreme pornography.
    — Tim Stelloh, NBC news, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of indecent
Adjective
  • In Maine, Graham Platner — who, like Avila Chevalier, had a vituperative social media history — easily defeated the state’s governor, Janet Mills, for the Senate nomination.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Definition of vituperative

Browse Nearby Words

affronted
affronting
affronts
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Cite this Entry

“Affronting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affronting. Accessed 10 Sep. 2026.

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