insult 1 of 2

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
While a friend may appreciate the gentle reminder that a statistics class involves high-level mathematics, a millennial will take that information as an insult. R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 19 June 2025 Amid blatant insults to servicemen and veterans, President Trump's approval remains relatively high, with most Americans agreeing with his immigration policies. Newsweek Staff, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 June 2025
Verb
Culture doesn't give your MIL the right to insult you and treat you as inferior. Ashley Vega, People.com, 29 May 2025 Between 2014 and 2020 alone, Erdogan’s government investigated approximately 160,000 Turks for insulting the president and prosecuted 35,000. Henri J. Barkey, Foreign Affairs, 29 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for insult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult
Verb
  • That outcome would be one that offends genuine common sense.
    Veronique De Rugy, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
  • Still, the project might offend fans, especially since the affected films feature beloved martial arts performed by legendary actors, along with practical, old school stunts.
    Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 19 June 2025
Noun
  • But behind the sarcasm is the uncomfortable truth: today's kids are hyper-aware of how they're perceived.
    Annabelle Canela, Parents, 9 June 2025
  • Alternately, his tone was infused with contempt, sarcasm or genuine sympathy for his subjects who had been victims of brutality unleashed by the Gestapo or secret police of the Vichy regime.
    David Anderson, Los Angeles Times, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • This move outraged Figgers as well as some DeSantis appointees to the Broward School Board.
    Scott Travis, Sun Sentinel, 21 June 2025
  • The foundation’s failure to build a memorial outraged some victim families who questioned its spending decisions and operations.
    Skyler Swisher, The Orlando Sentinel, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Why, the indignity of it all is even worse than going deaf.
    Christopher Null, Wired News, 19 June 2025
  • Despite suffering indignity after indignity, Jack acquiesces to the charming villain, as does the show around him.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insult. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insult

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