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affront

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verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word affront distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of affront are insult, offend, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When is it sensible to use insult instead of affront?

While the synonyms insult and affront are close in meaning, insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When can offend be used instead of affront?

Although the words offend and affront have much in common, offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

In what contexts can outrage take the place of affront?

The synonyms outrage and affront are sometimes interchangeable, but outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of affront
Noun
Tiny cars in Europe are a personal affront to many Americans used to SUVs. Jen Murphy, Outside Online, 19 Dec. 2024 While the thirst trap aspect of this murder is an affront to almost everyone, SNL seemed to lose focus in the sketch over and over. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
She’s known to personally reach out to attendees who have felt affronted by her material. Anna Tingley, Variety, 16 Aug. 2024 The administration’s statements and actions have affronted Iraqis by appearing to ignore their sovereignty, which is still a sore subject for a country the United States invaded. Linda S. Robinson, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2019 See all Example Sentences for affront 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affront
Noun
  • Videos of their vigorous, cheerful efforts soon went viral, drew international coverage and were a forceful counterpoint to Trump’s xenophobic insults.
    Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Tyson and Paul repeatedly traded barbs and insults to each other leading up to the Nov. 15 boxing match, which was delayed by four months after the legendary former heavyweight champion was diagnosed with an ulcer flare-up.
    Danielle Jennings, People.com, 21 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • Why does that extremely violent scene offend me, and this other extremely violent scene in another film, by another director, justify its particulars?
    Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025
  • Once benefits have been established, though, they cannot be denied or taken away from specific individuals in a manner that offends those individuals' rights to due process or equal protection, such as if specific individuals were denied benefits because of their race, religion, or national origin.
    Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Verb
  • The tone between the two sites was different, with Bluesky users outraged, and X users seeming rather gleeful about the omission.
    John Yoo and John Shu, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025
  • The blizzard of activity is designed to keep his supporters fighting, his critics outraged and the news media churning.
    Jonathan Easley, The Hill, 22 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • So when he was asked about changing the starting lineup for Monday night’s game against the LA Clippers, Finch slathered on an extra layer of sarcasm to his response.
    Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Sitting in chairs in the classroom, the student playing the role of a police officer used some sarcasm when approaching his classmate, who was acting as the driver.
    Steve Sadin, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2025

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Thesaurus Entries Near affront

Cite this Entry

“Affront.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affront. Accessed 1 Feb. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on affront

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