1
as in nicknames
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 insults
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of epithets
According to research from Copyleaks, an AI analysis firm that helps businesses and institutions navigate the shifting landscape of this emergent technology, a new trend has produced Sora videos of celebrities appearing to spew hateful racist epithets.
—
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Then there was the woman who was Speaker of the House and would walk around talking to herself, screaming out epithets to imaginary people.
—Larry David, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Terrell represented a Black teenager who’d been expelled from a Los Angeles high school for punching a white referee during a football game after the referee allegedly had directed racial epithets at him.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025
At one point, tempers flared in the drive-thru lane as a driver in a pickup truck gave up and somehow managed to pull off a U-turn, precipitating a hangry window-down exchange of epithets with the car behind him.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Miles Klee, Rolling Stone, 23 Oct. 2025
Then there was the woman who was Speaker of the House and would walk around talking to herself, screaming out epithets to imaginary people.
—Larry David, New Yorker, 28 Aug. 2025
Terrell represented a Black teenager who’d been expelled from a Los Angeles high school for punching a white referee during a football game after the referee allegedly had directed racial epithets at him.
—Peter Elkind, ProPublica, 27 Aug. 2025
At one point, tempers flared in the drive-thru lane as a driver in a pickup truck gave up and somehow managed to pull off a U-turn, precipitating a hangry window-down exchange of epithets with the car behind him.
—Robert Channick, Chicago Tribune, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithets
Noun
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The stealthy look is inspired by one of Jordan’s nicknames, which originated from his panther-like abilities on the court and has been the design muse for several of his sneakers.—
Riley Jones,
Footwear News,
9 Nov. 2025
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They’re most commonly known by their nicknames, Chub Perm, Mclovin, No Name, and Nonchalant Kid.—
Stephanie Ganz,
Parents,
3 Nov. 2025
Noun
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On screen, Lawrence and Pattinson hurl nonstop insults at each other in loud bursts of verbal warfare, a striking contrast to the duo’s quieter working relationship.—
Antonio Ferme,
Variety,
2 Nov. 2025
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The race has been no short of dogged, as insults between the candidates on the debate stage have led to archives investigations and defamation lawsuit threats.—
Molly Parks,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Many Isleños changed their original Spanish surnames to French last names once Louisiana came under French control, De la Nuez explained, which led to some descendants likely losing touch with their roots.—
Raul A. Reyes,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
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Beatrice and Eugenie's children do not have royal titles and use their fathers' surnames, reflecting their parents' wishes to raise them largely outside formal royal life.—
Ashley Hume , Ashley Papa,
FOXNews.com,
22 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Grammys 2026 surprise nominees Katseye From reality competition show to a pair of Grammy nods, the sextet known by their single monikers (Daniela, Lara, Manon, Megan, Sophia and Yoonchae) has charted an unlikely journey.—
Melissa Ruggieri,
USA Today,
7 Nov. 2025
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The protagonist tacks between monikers, dissatisfied by what each represents.—
JSTOR Daily,
JSTOR Daily,
30 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epithets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epithets. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.
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