as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
took it as an affront that she wasn't invited to say a few words at the ribbon-cutting ceremony
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in to insult
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
did not mean to affront you when I told you I didn't need your help
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of affront
Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Still, altering library access is the latest American affront felt by Canadians.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Mar. 2025
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024
For a sense of how Raheem Sterling might be feeling right now, consider that this is a player who felt affronted from the moment his starting place at Manchester City began to come under threat.
—Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for affront
Noun
Over the decades, doing business with Vietnam has evolved from an affront that could result in death threats to a common profession that keeps Little Saigon stores stocked with affordable goods.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 17 Apr. 2025
Still, altering library access is the latest American affront felt by Canadians.
—Sarah Matusek, The Christian Science Monitor, 22 Mar. 2025
Verb
The two women, initially welcomed, soon affront their hosts with their pesky independence of mind and spirit.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 20 Dec. 2024
For a sense of how Raheem Sterling might be feeling right now, consider that this is a player who felt affronted from the moment his starting place at Manchester City began to come under threat.
—Oliver Kay, The Athletic, 19 Aug. 2024
See All Example Sentences for affront
Recent Examples of Synonyms for affront
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
Verb
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Moskowitz said at the time, with tongue in cheek, he was offended by the low price, writing on social media that the store had reduced the value of his life’s work to less than $9.—
Anthony Man,
Sun Sentinel,
27 May 2025
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Richard was known for being outspoken, if not arrogant, consistently rubbing his Tagi tribe the wrong way and offending some of them with his blatant display of nudity on the island.—
Nick Caruso,
TVLine,
27 May 2025
Verb
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His partners at his music and production label Fantasy Records [whose success with Creedence Clearwater Revival helped fund the movie] were outraged.—
Andreas Wiseman,
Deadline,
20 May 2025
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People who supported masks and social distancing during the pandemic were outraged.—
Stephanie Nolasco,
FOXNews.com,
12 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
“Affront.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affront. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.
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