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shaft

shaft

7 7.5
A sharp remark that criticizes someone in a not direct way
  • noun
  • /ʃæft/
  • Offensive
translation icon : puya
  • The comedian's shaft at the politician drew laughs from the audience.

Examples

Synonyms

shot
vsshaft
  • Offensive
175 5.9

A short angry remark meant to hurt or criticize someone

is usually more indirect and less openly aggressive
slam
vsshaft
  • Offensive
34 6.3

An insulting remark meant to hurt someone

is more likely to be indirect and less openly attacking
dig
vsshaft
  • Offensive
33 8.1

A short sarcastic remark that criticizes someone

shares cutting tone but is more indirect than open insult
thrust
vsshaft
31 6.7

A pointed remark meant to hurt or criticize

is similar but tends to be indirect rather than openly pointed
barb
vsshaft
  • Offensive
14 6.4

A short sharp remark meant to hurt or criticize someone

is usually indirect and aimed subtly rather than openly
jibe
vsshaft
  • Offensive
6 7.9

An insulting remark meant to hurt someone

is sharper and often more indirect than plain mockery

To say something sharp to hurt or criticize someone

is often indirect rather than directly wounding
sharp-edged comment
vsshaft
  • Offensive
6.6

A remark that is harsh and meant to hurt someone's feelings

is similar but usually less direct and more implied
vitriolic remark
vsshaft
  • Offensive
8.9

A very harsh and angry comment meant to hurt someone

is cutting but usually less extreme in bitterness or severity

Antonyms

342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

161 1.0

Words or actions that show admiration for someone

Compounds

elevator shaft
  • Specialized
18 3.5

A tall narrow space in a building where an elevator moves up and down between floors

6 4.7

A vertical passage in a building or mine that lets air move through spaces

ventilation shaft
  • Specialized
5 4.5

A passage in a building that lets fresh air in and stale air out

A narrow beam of light that shines through an opening and lights a small area

transmission shaft
  • Specialized
1 5.2

A metal rod that turns to carry power from an engine to the wheels

butt shaft
  • Specialized
9.9

An arrow with a blunt tip used for safe target practice

rotating shaft
  • Specialized
4.4

A rod that turns to move parts in a machine

rotor shaft
  • Specialized
6.0

A long middle bar that the main rotor spins around in a helicopter

shaft encoder
  • Specialized
8.0

A device that measures how a shaft turns and sends that information as a signal

shaft furnace
  • Specialized
8.9

A tall vertical furnace that forces hot gas up through solid material to melt metal

shaft louse
  • Specialized
9.9

A small insect that lives on chickens' feathers and causes itching

How Harsh

barb
  • Offensive
14 6.4
shaft
  • Offensive
7 7.5
to comment
589 1.7

Surface Forms

shaft singular
shafts plural

Etymology

Shaft used for a sharp remark is not certain, but a helpful way to remember it is to think of a 'spear' or pointed 'stick' (old English sceaft) and imagine words that 'pierce'. That's why a shaft can mean a cutting, pointed comment.