affront
n.n. a serious insult or a great offense that makes someone feel very angry or embarrassed. It is a strong word for something that shows a lack of respect.
n. a serious insult or a grave offense that causes deep offense or indignation. Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a perceived violation of dignity.
The rude comment was a great affront to her family.
The ambassador viewed the refusal to meet as a deliberate affront to his country's diplomatic standing.
The poet's work was seen as a profound affront to the establishment, challenging the very social hierarchies that had defined the era for centuries.
From Middle English afrounten, from Old French afronter (“to hit in the face; to defy”), from Vulgar Latin *affrontare (“to hit in the face”), from Latin ad (“to”) + frōns (“forehead”) (English front).