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
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
The rhetorical question was asked tongue-in-cheek, but the suggestion that this great showman could be given the epithet reserved for only the most one-dimensional players underlines his efficiency.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Some took that remark as an innocent allusion to her job promoting fresh produce; others saw it as a pointed comment on a longtime epithet for gay men.
—Anita Gates, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for 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
The rhetorical question was asked tongue-in-cheek, but the suggestion that this great showman could be given the epithet reserved for only the most one-dimensional players underlines his efficiency.
—Charlie Eccleshare, The Athletic, 19 Jan. 2025
Some took that remark as an innocent allusion to her job promoting fresh produce; others saw it as a pointed comment on a longtime epithet for gay men.
—Anita Gates, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithet
Noun
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Multiple people have told The Athletic: The number of people detained for sending critical tweets about Al-Sheikh led to one area of a Riyadh jail becoming known by prisoners as the ‘Tutu Wing’, referring to his nickname.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2025
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After all, a nickname like ‘The Big Dreidel,’ is pretty niche.—
Gabrielle Starr,
Boston Herald,
24 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The order is so blatant in its attempt to rewrite history that to call it Orwellian would be something of an insult to Big Brother.—
Megan Garber,
The Atlantic,
29 Apr. 2025
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Years of insults and escalating tension came to a boiling point during the first press conference when Eubank Jr. slapped Benn in the face with an egg—an act that drew outrage and went viral.—
Brian Mazique,
Forbes.com,
25 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Emily, who didn't share her surname, lives in the Midwest with her 11 cats.—
Josh Hammer,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 Apr. 2025
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Yes, his surname is definitely a little tribute to Jon.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
9 Apr. 2025
Noun
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In some ways, the moniker ‘hair stylist’ undermines Tom Smith’s artistry.—
Angelina Villa-Clarke,
Forbes.com,
23 Apr. 2025
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The America's Next Top Model creator said her name was a joint effort from her family after her mother simplified a moniker that the model’s grandmother had chosen.—
Angel Saunders,
People.com,
17 Apr. 2025
Noun
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There’s a certain Egyptian sarcasm and dark humor that is all over my family.—
Lulu Garcia-Navarro,
New York Times,
12 Apr. 2025
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His sarcasm is well-placed: Whatever is discussed between business leaders and the governor using these phones will be shielded from the public, says a McGeorge School of Law adjunct professor who has worked as a lobbyist in the California Capitol.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
4 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epithet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epithet. Accessed 2 May. 2025.
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