BRICKBAT Synonyms: 53 Similar and Opposite Words

brickbat

noun

ˈbrik-ˌbat

Definition of brickbat

as in insult

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings the brickbats were flying the night that those two bitchy divas were seated at the same table

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of brickbat India has faced brickbats for not testing enough despite the emphasis laid by the World Health Organisation. — Niharika Sharma, Quartz India, 22 Mar. 2020 His popularity has survived brickbats and thrived despite personal woes. — Matthew Daly, Anchorage Daily News, 5 Feb. 2020 Mr Johnson is hyper-sensitive to the brickbats of the liberal elite into which he was born, and sulked after the referendum when his neighbours in Islington turned against him. — Boris Johnson, The Economist, 4 July 2019 Lenny, who was accustomed to brickbats, picked himself up and kept his conducting dates, but Jamie believes that Felicia, suffering from public humiliation, was never the same. — David Denby, The New Yorker, 16 June 2018 Years of critical brickbats toughened Albee’s already tough hide and taught him to trust only himself. — Jesse Green, New York Times, 21 Feb. 2018

Recent Examples of Synonyms for brickbat

Noun

He was subsequently dismissed by Dior and, months later, found guilty by a French court of making public insults based on origin, religion, race, or ethnicity.

— Daisy Maldonado, InStyle, 31 Aug. 2026
The arrest came after Kelley Wolf had reportedly made a series of hostile social media posts, which featured insults and allegations against various friends and family, including her ex-husband, Wolf.

— Edward Segarra, USA Today, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of insult

Noun

The other presidents had some semblance of comedic appreciation, whether through cynicism, irony, sarcasm, joke-telling, joke appreciation or storytelling.

— John Blumenthal, Chicago Tribune, 16 Aug. 2026
Like all of Roth’s content, there is a mix of dead seriousness, dry sarcasm, and wondrous joy in equal measure.

— Marisa Meltzer, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026

Definition of sarcasm

Noun

After outrage in Hollywood, the studio reversed course and allowed director Dave Green to shop the project around.

— Samantha Masunaga, Los Angeles Times, 1 Sep. 2026
However, the reaction on Capitol Hill — where Coupang has mounted an extensive lobbying effort — has not been universal outrage.

— Justin Papp, CNBC, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of outrage

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brickbat

brickbats

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“Brickbat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brickbat. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of brickbat

noun

Example Sentences

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