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to affront

to affront

5 7.1
To insult someone openly or show no respect
  • verb
  • /əˈfrʌnt/
translation icon : ofender
  • Delia felt slightly affronted by this, but she made herself focus on the issue at hand.

Examples

  • Summer couldn't have felt more affronted if he'd called her a foul name.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Molly rolled her eyes at him; he looked first puzzled, and then a little affronted.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • It is not in my power to affront you.

  • Do not affront me afore these folk.

  • We affronted his dignity... a very necessary thing to a man.

  • That worm of a stock boy has affronted the dignity of this store.

  • A man using the microfiche reader next to me looked up, affronted.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • I felt vaguely affronted that an Italian could be treating me so rudely.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • "No, no, that's hardly necessary," S'len said, affronted, and started to fasten his jacket.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • He was visibly upset after she affronted him in front of their friends.

Synonyms

to insult
vsto affront
  • Offensive
543 2.1

To say or do something rude to someone

is the formal statement of open disrespect rather than casual rudeness
to abuse
vsto affront
  • Offensive
95 4.2

To say rude or insulting words to someone to hurt them

is broader, covering both words and actions of open disrespect
to taunt
vsto affront
  • Offensive
93 5.8

To mock someone again and again to make them angry or upset

is a single act of open disrespect rather than repeated provocation
to diss
vsto affront
  • Offensive
62 8.4

To speak rudely to someone to show no respect, often in public

is similar but emphasizes open, often formal disrespect rather than public show
to assault
vsto affront
29 5.8

To attack someone strongly in speech or writing

is usually a single open insult rather than sustained harsh attack
to disparage
vsto affront
28 7.7

To speak badly about someone or something to show little respect

is more about direct insult or disrespect than evaluative criticism
to revile
vsto affront
  • Offensive
23 8.2

To say angry, insulting things about someone or something

is similar but can be less angry and more measured in tone
to give (someone) lip
vsto affront
  • Informal
8 8.4

Talk back to someone in a rude way

is more formal open disrespect rather than brief cheeky retort
to cheek
vsto affront
  • Informal
3 8.6

To speak rudely to someone

is often more deliberate and openly insulting than casual rudeness
to derogate
vsto affront
1 8.4

Say or do things that make someone seem less respected

focuses more on open insult rather than lowering someone's value
to act like a dickface
vsto affront
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave very rudely and make other people angry or upset

is verbal or formal disrespect rather than broad offensive behaviour
to act like a cuntrag
vsto affront
  • Offensive
9.9

Behave in a very rude and insulting way to other people

focuses on open verbal disrespect rather than vulgar behaviour
to acting like an assbutt
vsto affront
  • Offensive
9.9

To behave in a rude and annoying way

is more about clear disrespect and insult rather than mere foolishness

How Insulting

to outrage
143 3.9
to affront
5 7.1
to offend
524 2.8
to displease
28 4.7

Surface Forms

affront infinitive
affronted past
affronted past participle
affronting present participle
affronts third person singular

Morphology

affront = front (opaque) = af + front

Although historically formed from af- + front, the verb sense 'to insult' is not a predictable outcome of that combination for typical learners; the prefix is not a productive English prefix.

Etymology

The verb affront comes from Latin parts ad- 'to' and frons 'forehead', the same root as English front and the word confront. So to affront someone is to 'face' them with an insult or openly treat them with disrespect.