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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.

But in January, Sian said the family received a "kick in the teeth" when they learnt that West had been released after serving six-and-a-half months of his sentence.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 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

Thursday will be the anniversary of Ms McNally's death - and Mr McNally described the potential delay as "a kick in the teeth".

From BBC • Dec. 17, 2025

"If you have been convicted of a murder that you didn't commit, nobody recovers," he said, adding that the decision was "another kick in the teeth" for Mr O'Brien.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 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

kick in the teeth

Example Sentences

Related Words