epithet
noun
ep·i·thet ˈe-pə-ˌthet 
also -thət
1
a
: a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing
b
: a disparaging or abusive word or phrase
c
: the part of a taxonomic name identifying a subordinate unit within a genus
2
obsolete : expression
epithetic
ˌe-pə-ˈthe-tik
adjective or epithetical
ˌe-pə-ˈthe-ti-kəl
Did you know?
Nowadays, epithet is usually used negatively, with the meaning "a disparaging word or phrase," but it wasn't always that way. Epithet comes from Greek epitithenai, meaning "to put on" or "to add." In its oldest sense, epithet is simply a descriptive word or phrase, especially one joined by fixed association to the name of someone or something, as in "Ivan the Great" or the Homeric phrase "wine-dark sea."
Synonyms
- alias
- byname
- cognomen
- handle
- moniker
- monicker
- nickname
- sobriquet
- soubriquet
- surname
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
His charitable works have earned him the epithet “Mr. Philanthropy.” Many were offended by her use of racial epithets. a group of angry people hurling epithets at one another
Recent Examples on the Web That divine epithet found its way into the British press in 1840 when Grisi performed in London to great acclaim. 
Ben Zimmer, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 He was harassed by residents at a council meeting, called a homophobic epithet and followed near his home. Alan Feuer, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022 In 2018, the show became part of the news cycle when Bee used charged epithet that refers to a part of the female anatomy to insult President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 July 2022 Jacobs was one of four players disciplined by the MAC for their roles in a video with a racial epithet, vulgar language and taunting that surfaced on social media. Allen Moff, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2022 As the Globe reported in early June, Georgetown police found no evidence that anyone associated with Georgetown targeted Roxbury Prep with a racial epithet. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 30 June 2022 The suspect carried an assault weapon inscribed with a racial epithet, said U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, citing briefings with law enforcement officials. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 15 May 2022 As beautiful women twerked onstage to a crescendo of keys, Matthew unleashed the song’s hateful chorus, referring to Black people with a racial epithet and glorifying anti-Black violence. New York Times, 24 Feb. 2022 Since the 2020 election, the state has filed election-fraud charges against one person, a Copper Center man accused of signing ballots with an anti-gay epithet on multiple occasions. James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Jan. 2022 See More
Ben Zimmer, WSJ, 8 Sep. 2022 He was harassed by residents at a council meeting, called a homophobic epithet and followed near his home. Alan Feuer, BostonGlobe.com, 13 Aug. 2022 In 2018, the show became part of the news cycle when Bee used charged epithet that refers to a part of the female anatomy to insult President Donald Trump’s daughter, Ivanka. Brian Steinberg, Variety, 25 July 2022 Jacobs was one of four players disciplined by the MAC for their roles in a video with a racial epithet, vulgar language and taunting that surfaced on social media. Allen Moff, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2022 As the Globe reported in early June, Georgetown police found no evidence that anyone associated with Georgetown targeted Roxbury Prep with a racial epithet. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 30 June 2022 The suspect carried an assault weapon inscribed with a racial epithet, said U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, citing briefings with law enforcement officials. John Bacon, USA TODAY, 15 May 2022 As beautiful women twerked onstage to a crescendo of keys, Matthew unleashed the song’s hateful chorus, referring to Black people with a racial epithet and glorifying anti-Black violence. New York Times, 24 Feb. 2022 Since the 2020 election, the state has filed election-fraud charges against one person, a Copper Center man accused of signing ballots with an anti-gay epithet on multiple occasions. James Brooks, Anchorage Daily News, 23 Jan. 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin epitheton, from Greek, from neuter of epithetos added, from epitithenai to put on, add, from epi- + tithenai to put — more at do
First Known Use
1579, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing epithet
Medical Definition
epithet
noun
ep·i·thet
ˈep-ə-ˌthet also -thət
: the part of a scientific name identifying the species, variety, or other subunit within a genus see specific epithet
epithets
noun
1
as in nicknames
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
Relevance
- nicknames
- monikers
- surnames
- sobriquets
- pseudonyms
- monickers
- aliases
- appellations
- soubriquets
- bynames
- labels
- titles
- designations
- denotations
- cognomens
- cognomina
- tags
- handles
- denominations
- pen names
- anonyms
- noms de guerre
- noms de plume
2
as in insults
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
- insults
- sarcasms
- offences
- outrages
- slurs
- indignities
- names
- barbs
- affronts
- slights
- brickbats
- offenses
- darts
- attacks
- slaps
- disses
- personalities
- invectives
- digs
- taunts
- dises
- disgraces
- put-downs
- jibes
- criticisms
- jeers
- pokes
- girds
- vituperations
- sneers
- gibes
- catcalls
- abuses
- cuts
- quips
- shames
- mocks
- disapprovals
- swipes
- tortures
- dishonors
- torments
- opprobriums
- knocks
- slams
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- compliments
- commendations
- accolades
- praises
- acclaim
- flatteries
- adulations
- applauses