insult 1 of 2

Definition of insultnext

insult

2 of 2

verb

Synonym Chooser

How is the word insult distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insult are affront, offend, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When might affront be a better fit than insult?

The synonyms affront and insult are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When would offend be a good substitute for insult?

The words offend and insult are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Where would outrage be a reasonable alternative to insult?

The words outrage and insult can be used in similar contexts, but outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

Example Sentences

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 insult
Noun
To Paré-Poupart, this reality is not just a planetary insult but also a personal one. Lily Meyer, The Atlantic, 18 June 2026 Turns out, this is a term of endearment, not an insult. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 17 June 2026
Verb
Outrage became loud when the night's heavyweight champion, Josh Hokit, insulted former first lady Michelle Obama to host Joe Rogan moments after winning his fight. Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 16 June 2026 Reluctant to name favorite designers and boutiques for fear of insulting others, the actress spoke of her fondness for cashmere. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 9 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for insult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult
Noun
  • Meanwhile, sitcoms like Friends marked a movement toward irony in comedy with its trademark tongue-in-cheek banter and sarcasm, Thompson explains.
    Liz Regalia, Parents, 23 June 2026
  • That is said without the least bit of sarcasm.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 June 2026
Verb
  • Feeling offended by opinions that differ from yours?
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 26 June 2026
  • Evans, a 6-foot-6 guard from Duke, said he wasn’t offended by prognostications that place him late in the first round.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • Los Angeles police have arrested a 19-year-old woman suspected of attacking a hot dog street vendor in downtown Los Angeles in a violent episode that was captured on video and sparked public outrage.
    Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2026
  • Other critics have expressed their own outrage on social media.
    Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 26 June 2026
Noun
  • Though the indignity ran deep, our ancestors refused to bow.
    John E. Jackson Sr, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
  • The family members either submitted to the indignities—the false testimony, the obscene bullet fees—or were asked for bribes as high as $7,000 to avoid consigning their relatives to mass graves.
    Laura Secor, The Atlantic, 16 June 2026
Noun
  • Morgan responded with a slap and brush off of the voodoo.
    Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 28 June 2026
  • Devers petulantly left the field, avoided handshakes and butt slaps in the dugout, and retreated to the clubhouse.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • Adley and his team make great tasting plates first and foremost, but some of the items, like the unmissable chicken wings stuffed with boudin blanc and romesco, act as a cheeky affront to haute cuisine’s pretensions and conventions.
    Colin Wrenn, Denver Post, 3 June 2026
  • Lawyers for plaintiffs called it an affront.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 31 May 2026
Noun
  • The epithet is not a concession (the database of Trumpian apologies has yet to receive any inputs).
    Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 10 June 2026
  • Tape recordings played during the case also showed Fuhrman had used a racial epithet despite his testimony claiming to never have done so.
    Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 18 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Insult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insult. Accessed 28 Jun. 2026.

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