sense of affront

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "sense of affront" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a feeling of being insulted or offended by someone's actions or words. Example: "After hearing the harsh criticism, she felt a strong sense of affront that lingered throughout the meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Abolishing them just because Muslims now want some of their own would add to their sense of affront.

The Guardian

Greengrass told the Guardian that he'd been prompted to make the film by a "sense of affront and anger".

The Guardian - Film

It was part of a larger sense of affront at an Englishwoman taking over a quintessentially New York, and American, magazine.

The New Yorker

An American war against Iraq, even if it ended in victory, is liable to heighten the sense of affront, humiliation, hatred and desire for vengeance that much of the world feels toward the United States.

The New York Times

"Most of all – this is the core of it really – it was a film made out of my sense of affront and anger", director Paul Greengrass told the Guardian.

The Guardian - Film

Since the government says almost nothing on any issue without checking first with Mr. Hussein, the outbursts that followed the palace intrusion almost certainly reflected Mr. Hussein's personal sense of affront.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

The sense of personal affront that the managers experienced as a result of personification arose from the managers themselves, from the organization, and/or from the media.

BMC Health Services Research

There were also cases where managers admitted to increasing their alcohol consumption, as a way to handle their anxiety and sense of personal affront.

BMC Health Services Research

As surely as Martha's unusual sense of propriety affronts some longtime Downton residents — particularly the prim Dowager Countess, Violet (Maggie Smith) — Ms. MacLaine, an Oscar winner for "Terms of Endearment" and a star of films like "The Apartment," "Steel Magnolias" and "Bernie," has lived her life with a similar spirit of irreverence and nonchalance.

The New York Times - Arts

At best it narrows their number; at worst increases their sense of isolation and affront".

The New York Times

Yet it retains a powerful sense of political unease and affront.

The Guardian - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, follow "sense of affront" with a concise explanation of the cause of the offense. For example, "a sense of affront at the unwarranted criticism" provides more context.

Common error

Avoid using "sense of affront" to describe minor inconveniences or disagreements. This phrase carries a strong connotation of personal insult and is best reserved for situations involving genuine disrespect or offense. Using it too liberally can dilute its impact and make your writing sound melodramatic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "sense of affront" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the object of a verb or preposition. It describes a subjective feeling of being insulted or disrespected, as confirmed by Ludwig and illustrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

54%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Social Media

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "sense of affront" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a feeling of being insulted or disrespected. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and provides several examples from reputable sources. While not extremely common, it is most frequently encountered in news and media contexts. When using this phrase, consider the intensity of the emotion you wish to convey and avoid overusing it in minor situations. Alternatives such as "feeling of indignation" or "sense of injury" may be more appropriate depending on the context. Pay close attention to the advice above so you are sure to use the most appropriate words for the scenario.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

feeling of indignation

Replaces "sense" with "feeling", providing a slightly less formal alternative while maintaining the core meaning of righteous anger or offense.

feeling of outrage

Indicates a stronger emotional response than "affront", suggesting a more intense level of anger and shock.

sense of outrage

Indicates a slightly stronger emotional response than "affront" but maintains the formal register.

feeling of resentment

Focuses more on the prolonged bitterness and ill-will resulting from the perceived offense.

sense of injury

Highlights the feeling of being wronged or harmed, either emotionally or psychologically.

feeling of umbrage

A more formal and somewhat archaic term for taking offense.

state of indignation

Rephrases the "sense" as a "state", emphasizing a more prolonged or persistent feeling of anger and offense.

state of outrage

Rephrases the "sense" as a "state", emphasizing a more prolonged or persistent feeling of anger and shock.

experience of indignation

Replaces "sense" with "experience", suggesting a more active or conscious awareness of the offense.

experience of outrage

Replaces "sense" with "experience", suggesting a more active or conscious awareness of the feeling of anger and shock.

FAQs

How can I use "sense of affront" in a sentence?

You can use "sense of affront" to describe a feeling of being insulted or disrespected. For example: "The unwarranted accusations caused a deep sense of affront".

What can I say instead of "sense of affront"?

You can use alternatives like "feeling of indignation", "feeling of outrage", or "sense of injury" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "sense of affront" in formal writing?

Yes, "sense of affront" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when describing a feeling of being insulted or disrespected in a serious or official context.

What's the difference between "sense of affront" and "sense of outrage"?

"Sense of affront" implies a feeling of personal insult or disrespect, while "sense of outrage" suggests a stronger emotional response, indicating shock and anger at something perceived as morally wrong or unjust.