1
as in nickname
a descriptive or familiar name given instead of or in addition to the one belonging to an individual
King Richard I of England was given the very laudatory epithet "the Lion-Hearted"
Synonyms & Similar Words
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2
as in insult
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
the school has a strict ban against the use of offensive epithets
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of epithet
Some took that remark as an innocent allusion to her job promoting fresh produce; others saw it as a pointed comment on a longtime epithet for gay men.
—
Anita Gates, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
The reply of my friend and hunting companion was one of those quaint, rasping epithets which only a cowman can manage when everything has gone wrong.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
There were reports of death threats, along with racial epithets, directed at him.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2025
Harrison reportedly dealt with racial epithets and death threats for his decision to move on from Dončić.
—Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Anita Gates, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2025
The reply of my friend and hunting companion was one of those quaint, rasping epithets which only a cowman can manage when everything has gone wrong.
—Frank C. Hibben, Outdoor Life, 27 Feb. 2025
There were reports of death threats, along with racial epithets, directed at him.
—Louisa Thomas, The New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2025
Harrison reportedly dealt with racial epithets and death threats for his decision to move on from Dončić.
—Kelly Iko, The Athletic, 9 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for epithet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithet
Noun
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Yet his ruthlessness is appreciated by his team-mates, who have given him the nickname El Tiburon (‘The Shark’).—
Pol Ballús,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
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The countdown is on with Alex Ovechkin just 4 goals from overtaking Wayne Gretzky as the NHL's career goal leader – a mark that once seemed unsurmountable and earned Gretzky the nickname The Great One.—
Jim Sergent,
USA Today,
2 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Recent White House comments and insults directed at NATO allies – as well as the military alliance itself – have raised alarm and confusion.—
Bradford Betz,
FOXNews.com,
3 Apr. 2025
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In a workplace that’s increasingly remote, fast-paced, independent and ever-changing, these aren’t insults.—
Nirit Cohen,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Matt Bomer spouse: In the March 29 Entertainment section, an article about actor Matt Bomer misspelled the surname of his husband, Simon Halls, as Hall.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Mar. 2025
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Continuing with longstanding tradition within the British royal family, Prince Harry, 40, and Meghan are using Sussex as the surname for their children Prince Archie, 5 and Princess Lilibet, 3, as inspired by their Sussex titles.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
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The Richmond Times Dispatch hosted a reader contest to find a moniker for the new mascot and several front runners were considered including Rock Hoppers, Rhinos, and Hush Puppies.—
Brennan Long,
Southern Living,
9 Apr. 2025
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Despite lacking professional wrestling training, she was quickly introduced to the WWE audience on the ECW brand under the moniker Kelly Kelly.—
Gordon G. Chang,
MSNBC Newsweek,
8 Apr. 2025
Noun
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While slight disparities have been common in the past, the major difference sparked fury among Arab Muslims on social media, sarcasm and confusion for travelers.—
Ron Estes,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Mar. 2025
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Investors did not appreciate his sarcasm either, and the stock is down 2.6% since GTC25 kicked off.—
Karl Freund,
Forbes,
21 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Epithet.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/epithet. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
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