Definitions

slap in the face

NOUN

affront

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

Antonyms

STRONGEST

respect

STRONG

aid flattery happiness help kindness praise right

WEAK

appeasement compliment pleasantry

NOUN

insult

Synonyms

STRONGEST

abuse affront blasphemy contempt disgrace disrespect indignity invective libel outrage put-down scorn shame slander slap slight snub taunt

STRONG

aspersion contumely derision despite discourtesy disdainfulness ignominy impertinence impudence incivility insolence mockery obloquy offense opprobrium rudeness scurrility slam superciliousness vilification vituperation

WEAK

black eye cheap shot unpleasantry

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approval compliment delight esteem flattery honor praise regard respect reverence

STRONG

happiness humility kindness politeness

NOUN

left-handed compliment

Synonyms

WEAK

aspersion back-handed compliment home truth insult no compliment slight snub uncomplimentary remark

NOUN

offense

Synonyms

STRONGEST

assault attack injury

STRONG

affront aggression battery blitz blitzkrieg dig harm hit hurt indignation indignity injustice mugging onset onslaught outrage push put-down slam slight snub zinger

WEAK

assailment black eye dirty dig left-handed compliment

Antonyms

STRONGEST

aid health

STRONG

compliment flattery glee happiness joy praise respect

WEAK

kindness obedience pleasure

NOUN

rebuke

Synonyms

STRONGEST

admonition censure condemnation disapproval punishment rebuff reproach snub

STRONG

admonishment affliction berating blame castigation chiding comeuppance correction earful expostulation going-over lecture lesson objurgation ostracism put down rap rating refusal remonstrance reprehension reproof reproval repulse row scolding tongue-lashing upbraiding

WEAK

bawling-out chewing-out dressing-down hard time kick in the teeth talking-to telling-off

Antonyms

STRONGEST

approval encouragement endorsement exoneration praise sanction

STRONG

commendation flattery

WEAK

compliment

NOUN

rejection

Synonyms

STRONGEST

elimination exclusion repudiation veto

STRONG

bounce brush-off dismissal nix pass rebuff renunciation turndown

WEAK

cold shoulder disallowance hard time kick in teeth no dice no-go nothing doing thumbs-down

Antonyms

STRONGEST

allowance ratification

STRONG

welcome

WEAK

acceptance approval choice sanction

NOUN

repulse

Synonyms

STRONG

brush-off check defeat disappointment failure nix rebuff refusal reverse spurning turndown

WEAK

cold shoulder nothing doing thumbs-down

Antonyms

STRONG

attainment help success win

WEAK

attraction

NOUN

ruffled feathers

Synonyms

WEAK

affront aggression assailment assault attack battery black eye blitz blitzkrieg dig dirty dig dudgeon harm hit huff hurt indignation indignity injury injustice left-handed compliment miff mugging onset onslaught outrage pique push put-down resentment slam slight snub umbrage zinger

NOUN

slight

Synonyms

STRONGEST

affront rejection snub

STRONG

brush-off contempt cut discourtesy disdain disregard inattention indifference kick neglect put-down rebuff

WEAK

call down cold shoulder go-by

Antonyms

STRONG

admiration attention esteem love praise regard respect

WEAK

compliment

VERB

add insult to injury

Synonyms

WEAK

add fuel to the fire aggravate exacerbate heighten provoke rub salt in the wound twist the knife worsen

VERB

slur

Synonyms

STRONG

blacken blemish blister blot brand calumniate cap chop defame denigrate detract discredit disgrace insinuate libel malign miff offend push reproach roast scorch slander slight smear snub spatter stain traduce vilify zing

WEAK

blow off cut to the quick cut up dump on give a black eye hit where one lives kick in the teeth put down skin alive tear down

Antonyms

STRONG

approve beautify commend compliment conceal exalt flatter hide honor please praise

WEAK

enunciate pronounce

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.

Speaking outside the High Court in Glasgow afterwards Wylde's sister, Bernadette McCash, described the sentence as "a slap in the face".

From BBC • May 4, 2026

It turns your gift into a slap in the face with a wet fish.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

“What happened to you was not miraculous,” he tells her, and the contention is to her tantamount to a slap in the face.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

"What a slap in the face. That's a slap in the face," she added.

From Barron's • Feb. 10, 2026

The ten-gallon bottles stacked in its bed are clearly visible, and are a let-them-drink-wine sort of slap in the face to an increasingly thirsty population.

From "Dry" by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman

slap in the face

Example Sentences

Related Words