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Dictionary.com
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.

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

From MarketWatch • Apr. 13, 2026

The decision was a "slap in the face to the people of Epping", said shadow interior minister Chris Philp.

From Barron's • Nov. 11, 2025

I see it as a slap in the face.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 31, 2025

"After paying into the system for so long, Universal Credit feels like a slap in the face," he added.

From BBC • Aug. 7, 2025

It felt like a slap in the face; she’d spoken with perfect fluency that night in the library.

From "Throne of Glass" by Sarah J. Maas