epithet

noun

ˈe-pə-ˌthet How to pronounce epithet (audio)
Definition of epithetnext
1
as in nickname
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual King Richard I of England was given the very laudatory epithet "the Lion-Hearted"

Synonyms & Similar Words

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2
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings the school has a strict ban against the use of offensive epithets

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 epithet But Moscow’s options are few, and the epithet from the start of the war – that a weak and losing Russia can not suddenly also be a hundred feet tall – remains. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Tape recordings played during the case also showed Fuhrman had used a racial epithet despite his testimony claiming to never have done so. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 18 May 2026 The Chawla said multiple campaign road signs were vandalized with racial epithets in two separate incidents. — Carlos E. Castañeda, CBS News, 18 May 2026 His nanny was his fierce protector and insulated him from the depredations of Nazis and their enablers, baptizing him and teaching him to handily hurl anti-Jewish epithets to fit in. — Ron Kampeas, Sun Sentinel, 11 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for epithet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithet
  1. nickname
  2. insult
  3. moniker
  4. sarcasm
  5. surname
Noun
  • The character’s nickname, Big Pussy, is rumored to have originated during his time as a cat burglar.
    — Dennis Romero, NBC news, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Thankfully renamed from the original French nickname of Hog Island, this sprawling island park is bigger and older than Central Park.
    — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 31 July 2026
Definition of nickname
Noun
  • The list of insults faced by those of us trying to live here is pretty lengthy already.
    — Matthew Sedacca, Curbed, 21 July 2026
  • Supporters embraced the insult as a badge of resistance, turning it into a satirical political campaign that amassed more than 21 million Instagram followers in a few days.
    — Aijaz Hussain, Los Angeles Times, 19 July 2026
Definition of insult
Noun
  • The first Audi to bear the number 9 in its moniker, the full-size model is the automaker’s largest yet in the category.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 July 2026
  • When Yeong-gwang dies during his and Agent Kim’s first mission to South Korea, betrayed by the North Korean agency that sent them, Agent Kim takes on the moniker.
    — Kayti Burt, Time, 27 July 2026
Definition of moniker
Noun
  • Widow’s Bay landed 19 nominations including for stars Matthew Rhys, Kate O’Flynn, in her incredible turn as eccentric assistant Patricia, Dale Dickey, for her chain-smoking sarcasm as Rosemary, and Stephen Root for his obstinate Wyck Crawford.
    — Peter White, Deadline, 8 July 2026
  • Bluth family at the show's center, while Howard narrated the action with plenty of sarcasm.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 29 June 2026
Definition of sarcasm
Noun
  • The sighting comes after Suri, who is studying musical theater at Carnegie Melon’s School of Drama, legally removed Cruise as her last name in Pennsylvania and changed her surname to Noelle, Katie’s middle name.
    — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The decision to adopt it in the place of Cruise’s surname might suggest a desire to honor her mother.
    — Alessia Ferri, Vanity Fair, 30 July 2026
Definition of surname

Browse Nearby Words

epitaphs
epithet
epithets
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Cite this Entry

“Epithet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epithet. Accessed 4 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on epithet

Nglish: Translation of epithet for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about epithet

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