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"
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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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of epithet
Just a few days earlier in California, a house that had been decorated with lights celebrating Chanukah was riddled with bullets, with the assailant having been heard to yell anti-Jewish epithets.
—
Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
The doc has also earned the ire of Chase’s former Community co-star Yvette Nicole Brown, who firmly distanced herself from it and all attempts to reinvestigate Chase’s firing from the show amid accusations of hurling racial epithets.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
The president’s epithet didn’t come out of thin air.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2025
Even the epithets for the Kansas City Chiefs are built on divisional rivalry and that team’s long track record of success, not sneering dismissiveness.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Rabbi Steve Roth, Sun Sentinel, 6 Jan. 2026
The doc has also earned the ire of Chase’s former Community co-star Yvette Nicole Brown, who firmly distanced herself from it and all attempts to reinvestigate Chase’s firing from the show amid accusations of hurling racial epithets.
—Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 30 Dec. 2025
The president’s epithet didn’t come out of thin air.
—Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 6 Dec. 2025
Even the epithets for the Kansas City Chiefs are built on divisional rivalry and that team’s long track record of success, not sneering dismissiveness.
—Nick Coltrain, Denver Post, 30 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithet
Noun
-
Too often, that nickname signifies a resistance to necessary change.—
Lou Rinaldi,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
-
Jon Gallagher doesn’t have a nickname.—
Colby Gordon,
Austin American Statesman,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Apparently, my father approached the people hurling the insults and asked them to stop.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
29 Jan. 2026
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The president also called Walz and Frey himself Monday after weeks of hurling insults and accusing the Democratic officials of inciting resistance to the crackdown.—
Dave Goldiner,
New York Daily News,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Many residents cherish the old brick-and-wood mills as a visual centerpiece of Rockville as well as a reminder of that area’s long-ago moniker of Loom City.—
Sean Krofssik,
Hartford Courant,
26 Jan. 2026
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The law has a catchy moniker, known as TRAIGA, and is formally referred to as the Texas Responsible Artificial Intelligence Governance Act.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
25 Jan. 2026
Noun
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He’s aided by Jessica Jones, who uses her super strength (and sarcasm) to beat up Kingpin’s goons.—
Jordan Moreau,
Variety,
27 Jan. 2026
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Whereas Boyd was plain-spoken on purpose, Wheeler’s diction was always elevated and precise, with a hint of sarcasm.—
Nell Freudenberger,
Harpers Magazine,
27 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Bridgerton Season 2 reimagined Kate—who has pale skin and the surname Sheffield in The Viscount Who Loved Me—as Indian.—
Kat Moon,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
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Caballero was his Cuban mother’s surname, Montañés his stepfather’s.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Epithet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epithet. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.
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