insult

¹in·sult

verb \in-ˈsəlt\

Definition of INSULT

intransitive verb

archaic

: to behave with pride or arrogance : vaunt

transitive verb

: to treat with insolence, indignity, or contempt : affront; also : to affect offensively or damagingly <doggerel that insults the reader's intelligence>

— in·sult·er noun

— in·sult·ing·ly \in-ˈsəl-tiŋ-lē\ adverb

Examples of INSULT

1. She felt they had insulted her by repeatedly ignoring her questions.
2. We were greatly insulted by his rudeness.
3. They're understandably insulted when no one asks for their opinion on a matter that affects them so much.

Origin of INSULT

Middle French or Latin; Middle French insulter, from Latin insultare, literally, to spring upon, from in- + saltare to leap — more at saltation

First Known Use: 1540

Related to INSULT

Synonyms

affront, dis (also diss) [slang], disrespect, offend, outrage, slap, slight, wound

Related Words

cut, snub; displease, distress, disturb, hurt, miff, pain, trouble, upset; jeer, mock, ridicule, sneer (at), taunt; defame, disparage, libel, malign, revile, slander, slur, smear; oppress, persecute, torment, torture

Near Antonyms

acclaim, applaud, approve, hail; commend, compliment, eulogize, praise; adulate, flatter, sweet-talk; exalt, glorify, honor; delight, gratify, please, satisfy

See Synonym Discussion at offend

Rhymes with INSULT

adult, consult, exult, incult, indult, occult, penult, result, tumult

²in·sult

noun \ˈin-ˌsəlt\

Definition of INSULT

1

: a gross indignity

2

: injury to the body or one of its parts; also : something that causes or has a potential for causing such insult <pollution and other environmental insults>

Examples of INSULT

1. The fans hurled insults at the referee as he walked off the field after the game.
2. Their decision to cancel the project was an insult to all my hard work.
3. They got into a fight over a minor insult.

First Known Use of INSULT

1671

Related to INSULT

Synonyms

affront, barb, brickbat, cut, dart, dig, dis (also diss) [slang], epithet, gird, indignity, name, offense (or offence), outrage, personality, poke, put-down, sarcasm, slap, slight, slur

Related Words

catcall, gibe (or jibe), jeer, mock, quip, sneer, taunt; abuse, invective, vituperation; disapproval, opprobrium; disgrace, dishonor, shame; attack, criticism, knock, slam, swipe; torment, torture

Near Antonyms

accolade, commendation, compliment; acclaim, applause, praise; adulation, flattery

in·sult

noun \ˈin-ˌsəlt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of INSULT

1

: injury to the body or one of its parts <repeated acute vascular insults> <any insult to the constitution of a patient suffering from active tuberculosis—Journal of the American Medical Association>

2

: something that causes or has a potential for causing insult to the body <damage resulting from malnutritional insults>

—insult verb