affront 1 of 2

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
The staff saw this as an affront, accusing him of micromanaging and sowing distrust. Sheon Han, Wired News, 27 Mar. 2025 That affront prevented her from saying goodbye to her mother, who passed away that same year. Miguel Sirgado, Miami Herald, 4 Feb. 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
  • But some Republican registrars took them as an insult, and at least one, Lisa Amatruda of Woodbury, walked out.
    Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The imitation Punisher logo on Cole’s bullet was no act of flattery, but the most vile of insults.
    Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 16 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The Supreme Court justices sounded ready on Tuesday to give parents a constitutional right to opt out of public school lessons for their children that offend their religious beliefs.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 22 Apr. 2025
  • But in a world where Chrome is castigated as the worst offending mainstream browser for privacy and tracking, this will land flat.
    Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 22 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • In addition to the changes around LGBTQ+ inclusion, 2021 restrictions on a certain traditionalist liturgy outraged a contingent of Catholics who developed a cynicism about Francis’ reforms mirroring that of the Second Vatican Council.
    Liam Adams, USA Today, 23 Apr. 2025
  • The shootings outraged many in the international community, with some calling the killings a war crime.
    Melanie Lidman, Los Angeles Times, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • There’s a certain Egyptian sarcasm and dark humor that is all over my family.
    Lulu Garcia-Navarro, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Affront.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/affront. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.

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