epithet

noun

ˈe-pə-ˌthet How to pronounce epithet (audio)
Definition of epithetnext
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"

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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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

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 epithet Mendelsohn also retains Homer’s repetitious epithets for characters that some modern translations—written for the silent reader of the 21st century—have slimmed down. — Chris Moody, The Atlantic, 16 July 2026 That epithet is more unhinged than any of the examples the Tribune Editorial Board gives in the editorial. — Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2026 But Moscow’s options are few, and the epithet from the start of the war – that a weak and losing Russia can not suddenly also be a hundred feet tall – remains. — Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 6 July 2026 Tape recordings played during the case also showed Fuhrman had used a racial epithet despite his testimony claiming to never have done so. — Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 18 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for epithet
Recent Examples of Synonyms for epithet
  1. nickname
  2. insult
  3. moniker
  4. sarcasm
  5. surname
Noun
  • His daughter Angela West said farming had been part of her father’s life long before Kansas City knew his nickname.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Hig nicknames her The Beast, which seems more of an inner monologue moniker.
    — Dessi Gomez, Deadline, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of nickname
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
  • Bart Bart Starr led the Packers to victories in the first two Super Bowls ever played, making this moniker ideal for football history buffs.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • Under Moreno, the team that had been the Anaheim Angels changed their moniker to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005.
    — Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of moniker
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
  • Pegula was born in South Korea, where Kim is also a popular surname.
    — Beth Ann Mayer, Parents, 1 Sep. 2026
  • How many married women have been known for 10, 20, 30, 40 years by their husband’s surname?
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of surname

Browse Nearby Words

epitaphs
epithet
epithets
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Cite this Entry

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

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More from Merriam-Webster on epithet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about epithet

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