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
Sheen then called a friend to pick up Jane and take her home, let slip an insult at her, and that’s when Jane began to attack him. Oren Peleg, HollywoodReporter, 9 Sep. 2025 After a brief pause, the messages resumed months later and escalated to 40-50 a day, ranging from insults about Lauryn’s appearance to alarming threats against her relationship. Jordana Comiter, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025
Verb
Would any self-respecting show really risk insulting the viewer’s intelligence so flagrantly? Graham Hillard, The Washington Examiner, 5 Sep. 2025 The Krafts need to have an open, transparent process that addresses the tough issues and avoids insulting the mayor. Joe Battenfeld, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult
Verb
  • When arthritis pain flares up, the area around the offending joint becomes inflamed and slightly acidic.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Unlike the common perception that assault requires hitting or causing injury, the law says even an act meant only to offend, like spitting, can be enough to trigger a charge.
    Tiffani Jackson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 8 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Contempt often hides within sarcasm or ridicule.
    Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Like Bong, Park has a very deadpan way with sarcasm, and the opening sequence is simply dripping with it: paper company safety executive You Man-su (Lee) is celebrating his wife’s birthday by barbecuing rare, delicious eel steaks, a gift from work to mark 25 years of service.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • In fact, Western leaders are mostly appeasing domestic constituencies outraged by the suffering of ordinary Gazans.
    Bloomberg Opinion, Twin Cities, 16 Sep. 2025
  • Other Sky fans were similarly surprised and outraged by an unexpected announcement of an automatic renewal with a substantial increase last year.
    Ben Pickman, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Today, the Court needlessly subjects countless more to these exact same indignities.
    Dan Gooding Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 8 Sep. 2025
  • To add to the indignity, Tom Brady now has a statue outside Gillette Stadium and, in his role as a minority owner of the Raiders, a 1-0 boardroom record against the Patriots.
    Steve Buckley, New York Times, 8 Sep. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insult. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insult

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!