as in insults
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 offends
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 affronts
Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The dollar weakened amid affronts to the Fed’s independence, lower interest rates from the central bank and uncertainty about US policy decisions and tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
And those affronts to standard Hollywood operating procedure threaten millions of jobs across the industry.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Bukele, after a disastrous month for his image, was not willing to tolerate any more affronts.
—Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 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
Noun
Shaban’s chief response to this and other affronts is silence.
—Sheri Linden, HollywoodReporter, 30 Jan. 2026
The dollar weakened amid affronts to the Fed’s independence, lower interest rates from the central bank and uncertainty about US policy decisions and tariffs.
—John Towfighi, CNN Money, 31 Dec. 2025
And those affronts to standard Hollywood operating procedure threaten millions of jobs across the industry.
—Chris Lee, Vulture, 5 Dec. 2025
Bukele, after a disastrous month for his image, was not willing to tolerate any more affronts.
—Óscar Martínez & Carlos Martínez, The Dial, 16 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affronts
Noun
-
Rockrohr used both sides of this visual coin, telling of groundwork done by the late Harry Teshima to bring Black residents into the community and tales of lasting friendships and stories of insults thrown at Black students.—
Jerry Shnay,
Chicago Tribune,
3 Feb. 2026
-
The scuffles came amid an already intense night, with tensions fueled by a brutal press conference on Thursday for the title fight between Lopez and Stevenson, during which the boxers exchanged insults about each other’s family members.—
Jessica Schladebeck,
New York Daily News,
31 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
If that language offends you — come on.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Jan. 2026
-
If one employee offends another, they are fired on the spot.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
As has always been the case in my life, my main way of responding to political outrages is through writing and reading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Rideout’s trial, for example, teemed with outrages.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
This time around, aside from warding off mental demons that arose from her crash, Shiffrin, at 30, must also fight the indignities of age.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
-
Williamson’s pugnacious lyrics are grounded in manual labor and local indignities, but Planet X’s malaise transcends any neighborhood or job site, toeing the line between angst and grievance.—
Pete Tosiello,
Pitchfork,
27 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Affronts.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affronts. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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