affront

[uh-fruhnt] / əˈfrʌnt /

NOUN

an insult

Synonyms

STRONGEST

indignity provocation slight

STRONG

abuse brickbat injury offense outrage put down slap slur vexation wrong

WEAK

backhanded compliment dirty deed left-handed compliment slap in the face

Antonyms

STRONGEST

respect

STRONG

aid flattery happiness help kindness praise right

WEAK

appeasement compliment pleasantry

VERB

insult or involve in entanglement

Synonyms

STRONG

abuse anger annoy confront criticize displease dispraise encounter face meet offend outrage pique provoke slander slight taunt vex

WEAK

dump on give a zinger give the cold shoulder hit where one lives put down

Antonyms

STRONG

aid approve avoid calm compliment delight flatter help make happy please praise respect retreat soothe

WEAK

appease assuage gratify mollify placate satisfy

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

What Cannon claimed as a personal affront, though, was merely Smith following the law.

From Slate • Feb. 26, 2026

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called it a "real affront" to the victims' families.

From Barron's • Jan. 23, 2026

In curling, the accusations alone were an affront to the sport’s tradition and dignity.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 28, 2025

To his peers, Newman’s purity was unsettling and his transition from criticism to painting, an affront.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 26, 2025

The modish bonnet with curling white feathers seemed to her uncle a crowning affront.

From "The Witch of Blackbird Pond" by Elizabeth George Speare