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kick in the teeth

NOUN
rebuff
Synonyms
STRONGEST
rebuke rejection reprimand snub
STRONG
check cut defeat denial discouragement insult nix opposition refusal repulse slight turndown
WEAK
brush-off cold shoulder go-by hard time nothing doing thumbs-down
Antonyms
STRONGEST
praise
STRONG
approval compliment
WEAK
inclusion welcome
NOUN
rebuke
Synonyms
STRONGEST
admonition censure condemnation disapproval punishment rebuff reproach snub
STRONG
admonishment affliction berating blame castigation chiding comeuppance correction earful expostulation going-over lecture lesson objurgation ostracism put down rap rating refusal remonstrance reprehension reproof reproval repulse row scolding tongue-lashing upbraiding
WEAK
bawling-out chewing-out dressing-down hard time slap in the face talking-to telling-off
Antonyms
STRONGEST
approval encouragement endorsement exoneration praise sanction
STRONG
commendation flattery
WEAK
compliment
NOUN
short shrift
Synonyms
WEAK
no pity no quarter pitilessness small portion tender mercies unsympathetic treatment
VERB
deflate
Synonyms
STRONGEST
disconcert mortify
STRONG
chasten dash debunk dispirit humble
WEAK
cut down to size knock down let down easy let wind out of sails puncture balloon put down shoot down take down
Antonyms
STRONG
aid assist encourage help
WEAK
blow up boost build up expand inflate
VERB
repulse
Synonyms
STRONGEST
fend off overthrow put down rebuff repel resist ward off
STRONG
check defeat nix rebut reject
WEAK
beat off brush off drive back fight off heave-ho hold off keep off push back set back stave off throw back
Antonyms
STRONG
aid allow approve help
WEAK
attract enchant please soothe
VERB
slur
Synonyms
STRONG
blacken blemish blister blot brand calumniate cap chop defame denigrate detract discredit disgrace insinuate libel malign miff offend push reproach roast scorch slander slight smear snub spatter stain traduce vilify zing
WEAK
blow off cut to the quick cut up dump on give a black eye hit where one lives put down skin alive slap in the face tear down
Antonyms
STRONG
approve beautify commend compliment conceal exalt flatter hide honor please praise
WEAK
enunciate pronounce

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The decision to refuse her a visa was "a kick in the teeth", she says.

From BBC • Mar. 20, 2026

It’s a kick in the teeth for Rigetti, but quantum’s most stringent supporters on Wall Street are unmoved.

From Barron's • Jan. 14, 2026

A kick in the teeth to Spurs fans.

From BBC • Aug. 21, 2025

"It got ripped away. I am angry. It's a bit of a kick in the teeth finding out that it could have been prevented."

From BBC • Apr. 10, 2025

Maybe I wasn’t good enough for James, but ruining my show after all the work I’d put into it was a kick in the teeth.

From "The Red Car to Hollywood" by Jennie Liu