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
More than a decade after Breaking Bad ended, Aaron Paul still can’t escape his character’s signature epithet.
—
John Russell, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for epithet
John Russell, People.com, 19 Mar. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithet
Noun
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The rocky bluffs make the waters particularly treacherous, earning the tip of Door County a wild nickname: Death’s Door.—
Jacqueline Kehoe,
AFAR Media,
21 May 2025
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But few nicknames reach the height of the headless chicken monster.—
Amanda Kooser,
Forbes.com,
21 May 2025
Noun
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They were quickly showered with boos and insults, along with various food items and beverages, including my mother’s large Pepsi.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
17 May 2025
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Students understood the insult – and its historical sting.—
Simon Montlake,
Christian Science Monitor,
16 May 2025
Noun
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Out of the four couples living in London with the surname, Steggle believes only the playwright and his wife could have afforded to live in the relatively prosperous area.—
Lianne Kolirin,
CNN Money,
24 Apr. 2025
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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
Noun
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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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There’s tenderness and frustration, playfulness and sarcasm; respect and fatigue.—
Yvonne Villarreal,
Los Angeles Times,
1 May 2025
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TikTok viewers chimed in with a mix of sarcasm, solidarity, and surprisingly creative suggestions.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epithet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epithet. Accessed 30 May. 2025.
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