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

Whether that’s a compliment or an insult depends on your perspective.

— Omar Kelly August 17, Miami Herald, 17 Aug. 2026
The Fantasy Football Draft is that magical stretch of hours where friends, enemies and division nemesis all cram into one room to sling insults with the confidence of seasoned analysts.

— Bill Reinhard, New York Daily News, 16 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

Domestic grievances and outrage over Gaza make for a potent mix, and a wave of protest comparable to the uprisings of 15 years ago could again be on the horizon.

— MARC LYNCH, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
Within weeks of Porter’s death, ICE agents gunned down Renee Good and Alex Pretti in confrontations in Minneapolis, with both slayings drawing national outrage.

— James Queally, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of outrage

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brickbat

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“Brickbat.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/brickbat. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of brickbat

noun

Example Sentences

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