affront

USAGE SUMMARY

"affront" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to refer to an insult or slight, usually intentional and often public. For example: "His dismissive comment was an affront to her hard work and dedication."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In a city full of light, where you barely have to crane your neck to glimpse the sky, a third-storey pop-up feels like an affront.

The Guardian

Blaxland told the court: "If government agencies, of which the prosecution is a part, are themselves involved in the use of force, in whatever way, it is our submission that would be an affront to justice to allow the prosecution to continue".

The Guardian

He took it as a personal affront the last time he was removed from the team and, whether it is true or not that he was the instigator of all those corrosive dressing-room leaks, the memory still lingers of José Mourinho's first day back at Chelsea and his change in body language when I asked him about the consequences and rancour of favouring Diego López.

The Guardian - Sport

It's an affront to the local community and the passion and talent of our local broadcasters.

The Guardian - Sport

Related: And then there was one: Miliband, Clegg and Farage quit as party leaders Nigel Farage quit as leader of Ukip – at least temporarily – after failing to win a seat on Thursday, but as he departed he labelled the current system an affront to democracy.

The Guardian

What some saw as an opportunity to assert their constitutional freedoms, others took as an affront.

The Guardian

They cut out space, their full-backs did not stray forward and the mistake from Tiago felt like an affront to their entire strategy.

The Guardian - Sport

Like all parts of the social chapter, it was opposed by Margaret Thatcher and the Tories because of their belief that anything that stopped the untrammelled operation of the free market was an affront both to the right of employers to act as they saw fit and to individual liberty.

The Guardian - Opinion

"All of these incidents are an affront to democracy," he added.

The Guardian

"There was an application to frack in the village where my mother lives," you tell me, as if it's a personal affront to your mother.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

On Monday, Simon – the acclaimed creator of The Wire – posted on his blog a short response to the riots and unrest in Baltimore in which he told those causing the trouble to "go home", that they were derailing the progress made after Gray's death and that they were "an affront to that man's memory".

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "affront" when you want to emphasize the intentional and often public nature of an insult. For instance, "The new policy was seen as an "affront" to the employees' years of service".

Common error

Avoid using "affront" when a simple disagreement or misunderstanding occurs. It's a strong word that implies a deliberate insult, so using it in a minor situation can sound overdramatic. For example, saying "His differing opinion was an "affront"" is an overstatement.

Linguistic Context

The word "affront" functions as both a noun, denoting an open insult or offense, and a verb, meaning to insult intentionally. Ludwig examples showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing its role in expressing strong disapproval or outrage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

29%

Science

27%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the word "affront" is a versatile term functioning as both a noun and a verb, denoting a deliberate insult or offense. As Ludwig's AI clarifies, it's a correct and usable word in written English, employed to express indignation or strong disapproval. Its usage spans across diverse contexts, including news, formal communication, and academic discussions. The word carries a formal register and is frequently found in authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist. When expressing offense, be sure to choose the term that most accurately represents the situation in question. Use "affront" when emphasizing the intentional and public nature of the insult.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

insult

This alternative is a direct synonym, indicating a deliberate act of disrespect or offense.

offense

This alternative focuses on the feeling of being insulted or wronged.

affront to one's dignity

This alternative specifies that the insult targets someone's sense of self-worth or importance.

indignity

This alternative emphasizes the humiliation or loss of dignity experienced.

slight

This alternative implies a minor or subtle insult, often unintentional.

disrespect

This alternative indicates a lack of regard or esteem.

outrage

This alternative conveys a strong feeling of anger or shock.

violation of

This alternative highlights the transgression of a rule, right, or principle.

challenge

This alternative suggests a direct confrontation, which can also be interpreted as defiance.

provocation

This alternative means something that incites anger or resentment.

FAQs

How to use "affront" in a sentence?

"Affront" can be used as a noun to describe an action or statement that causes outrage or offense. For example, "His speech was an "affront" to many." It can also be used as a verb, meaning to insult someone openly. For example, "She was "affronted" by his rude remarks".

What can I say instead of "affront"?

You can use alternatives like "insult", "offense", or "indignity" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "affront" or "insult"?

"Affront" and "insult" are similar but not always interchangeable. "Affront" often implies a more public and deliberate act of disrespect, while "insult" can be more general.

What's the difference between "affront" and "offense"?

"Affront" usually refers to an intentional act of disrespect, while "offense" can be caused unintentionally. An "affront" is always an "offense", but an "offense" isn't always an "affront".