Affront — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /ə-ˈfrənt/ af·front

Meaning & Definition of Affront

Affront (verb)

  1. to insult especially to the face by behavior or language
  2. to cause offense to
  3. to face in defiance, confront

Affront (noun)

  1. a deliberate offense, insult
  2. a hostile encounter

Affront (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. 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"

    similar: barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, dis (slang), epithet, gird, indignity, insult, name, offense, outrage, personality, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slap, slight, slur
    related: catcall, gibe, jeer, mock, quip, sneer, taunt, abuse, invective, vituperation, disapproval, opprobrium, disgrace, dishonor, shame, attack, criticism, knock, slam, swipe, torment, torture
    near: accolade, commendation, compliment, acclaim, applause, praise, adulation, flattery

Affront (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in

    "did not mean to affront you when I told you I didn't need your help"

    similar: dis (slang), disrespect, insult, offend, outrage, slap, slight, wound
    related: cut, snub, displease, distress, disturb, hurt, miff, pain, trouble, upset, jeer, mock, ridicule, sneer (at), taunt, defame, disparage, libel, malign, revile, slander, slur, smear, oppress, persecute, torment, torture
    near: acclaim, applaud, approve, hail, commend, compliment, eulogize, praise, adulate, flatter, sweet-talk, exalt, glorify, honor, delight, gratify, please, satisfy

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Affront

The most common words with a similar meaning to Affront:

Slang: dis
barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, epithet, gird, indignity, insult, name, offense, outrage, personality, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slap, slight, slur, disrespect, offend, wound

Related Words for Affront

catcall, gibe, jeer, mock, quip, sneer, taunt, abuse, invective, vituperation, disapproval, opprobrium, disgrace, dishonor, shame, attack, criticism, knock, slam, swipe, torment, torture, snub, displease, distress, disturb, hurt, miff, pain, trouble

Near Antonyms of Affront

accolade, commendation, compliment, acclaim, applause, praise, adulation, flattery, applaud, approve, hail, commend, eulogize, adulate, flatter, sweet-talk, exalt, glorify, honor, delight, gratify, please, satisfy

Word Forms of Affront

Inflections: affronted, affronting, affronts

Origin & Etymology of Affront

Middle English afronten, afrounten, borrowed from Anglo-French afrunter "to strike the front of, shame," derivative from the phrase a frunt "facing, openly, blatantly," from a "to, at" (going back to Latin ad) + frunt "front:1, forehead" at:1

First known use: 14th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Affront

Frequently Asked Questions about Affront

What does "Affront" mean?

"Affront" means to insult especially to the face by behavior or language. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to insult especially to the face by behavior or language. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Affront"?

Other words for "Affront" include barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, dis, epithet and gird. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Affront" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Affront"?

There are 65 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Affront". Common alternatives include barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, dis, epithet, gird, indignity and insult.

How do you use "Affront" in a sentence?

Examples of "Affront" in a sentence: "took it as an affront that she wasn't invited to say a few words at the ribbon-cutting ceremony"; "did not mean to affront you when I told you I didn't need your help".

Is "Affront" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Affront" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

Is "Affront" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Affront" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Affront"?

"Affront" is pronounced /ə-ˈfrənt/ and divided into syllables as af·front.

What is the origin of the word "Affront"?

"Affront" comes from Middle English afronten, afrounten, borrowed from Anglo-French afrunter "to strike the front of, shame," derivative from the phrase a frunt "facing, openly, blatantly," from a "to, at" (going back to Latin ad) + frunt "front:1, forehead" at:1. First known use: 14th century.