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
In Huntington Beach, a Republican stronghold, opposing crowds of pro- and anti-Trump protesters faced off on opposite corners of the intersection at Main and Pacific Coast Highway, shouting epithets.
—
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
The racist epithets — including a swastika and N***** spray-painted onto the concrete walls surrounding the park — were reported to the Miami Police on Monday afternoon in what the community and police are calling a hate crime.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Barnyard epithets did not pepper the prepared speeches of most of Hegseth's predecessors.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The frequent Trump epithet losers would be a suitably pejorative modern equivalent.
—Graham Robb, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Jaweed Kaleem, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2025
The racist epithets — including a swastika and N***** spray-painted onto the concrete walls surrounding the park — were reported to the Miami Police on Monday afternoon in what the community and police are calling a hate crime.
—Milena Malaver, Miami Herald, 3 June 2025
Barnyard epithets did not pepper the prepared speeches of most of Hegseth's predecessors.
—Tom Vanden Brook, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
The frequent Trump epithet losers would be a suitably pejorative modern equivalent.
—Graham Robb, The Atlantic, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithet
Noun
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The 18-year-old, who goes by the nickname Eliza rather than Elizabeth, opened up about the emotional tug of war between honoring her own identity and meeting her family’s expectations in a recent Reddit post.—
Ashley Vega,
People.com,
6 July 2025
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This new mission statement plays on one of Superman’s nicknames: The Man of Tomorrow.—
Samantha Baskind,
Smithsonian Magazine,
3 July 2025
Noun
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Adding insult, he was called for eight fouls in Tuesday night’s victory over the Golden State Warriors, with players allowed 10 in summer league, four above the regular-season maximum.—
Ira Winderman,
Sun Sentinel,
9 July 2025
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Amid the mix of compliments and insults from obvious trolls, many thought ATB bore a striking resemblance to another member of the family.—
Miami Herald,
Miami Herald,
8 July 2025
Noun
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As per hospital rules, the baby had been given her mom's surname, which, because of her refusal to take her husband's name, was LaBarre.—
Jack Beresford,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 July 2025
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Descendants include families with the surnames Nunn, Barrs, Womack and, possibly, Jones.—
Michael Barnes,
Austin American Statesman,
2 July 2025
Noun
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Dunham’s husband and co-creator Luis Felber is a musician, who performs under the moniker Attawalpa.—
Peter White,
Deadline,
14 July 2025
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McClain's moniker is named after Bernie Madoff, the former Nasdaq chairman who masterminded the largest Ponzi scheme in U.S. history by defrauding thousands of investors.—
Louis Casiano,
FOXNews.com,
14 July 2025
Noun
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Fans in the comments applauded Carpenter’s use of sarcasm to indirectly address the hoopla.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
26 June 2025
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There’s always a little colored sarcasm in our music, there’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but then there is always some really deep meaningful subject matter on our records, too.—
Maya Georgi,
Rolling Stone,
25 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epithet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epithet. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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