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
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Recent Examples of epithet
The reply of my friend and hunting companion was one of those quaint, rasping epithets which only a cowman can manage when everything has gone wrong.
—
Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
There were reports of death threats, along with racial epithets, directed at him.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2025
Lincoln Heights resident Eric Ruffin said at Tuesday night's village meeting that one of the demonstrators called him a racial epithet.
—Antonia Hylton, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2025
Harrison reportedly dealt with racial epithets and death threats for his decision to move on from Dončić.
—Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
There were reports of death threats, along with racial epithets, directed at him.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2025
Lincoln Heights resident Eric Ruffin said at Tuesday night's village meeting that one of the demonstrators called him a racial epithet.
—Antonia Hylton, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2025
Harrison reportedly dealt with racial epithets and death threats for his decision to move on from Dončić.
—Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithet
Noun
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Photo of the day: Welcome to the Mammoths The Utah Hockey Club unveiled its new nickname, the Mammoth, and its logo Wednesday.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
9 May 2025
-
Salt Spring more than deserves the nickname the Island of the Arts.—
Mark Ellwood,
AFAR Media,
8 May 2025
Noun
-
People hurled insults as the police started taking down the barricades.—
Carolyn Komatsoulis,
Idaho Statesman,
7 May 2025
-
Sarandos, playing a cheeky version of himself, delivers a sharp line about contractual award show shout-outs before signing off with an insult.—
Clayton Davis,
Variety,
7 May 2025
Noun
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The new pope’s name, as well as his baptismal names, will be translated into Latin in the announcement but his former surname will remain in his native language.—
Issy Ronald,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
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And then there’s Brian Steel, whose sole flashy trait is his surname.—
Charles Bethea,
New Yorker,
28 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
The directing pair, who also work under the ‘Similar But Different’ moniker, started out in commercials and music videos.—
Stewart Clarke,
Deadline,
14 May 2025
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The most recent pope with that moniker, Pope Leo XIII, was head of the Church from 1878 until 1903, and was a force of connection as the Church navigated relationships with civil governments — and was less opposed to scientific progress, according to Britannica.com.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
9 May 2025
Noun
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Think of Wendy’s social media interactions that use wit, humor and just the right bit of sarcasm to give the brand a personality all its own.—
Ken Braun,
Forbes.com,
7 May 2025
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Ten years ago, Phish seemed like a massive long-shot to ever score a nomination, with a nearly insurmountable mountain of sarcasm from critics standing between Phish and the Rock Hall.—
Jim Harrington,
Mercury News,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epithet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epithet. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
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