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
  • While some Hollywood studios such as Lionsgate and Blumhouse have collaborated with AI companies, others have been reluctant to announce partnerships at the risk of offending talent that have voiced concerns over how AI could be used to alter their digital likeness without adequate compensation.
    Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
  • The LinkedIn feed is full of safe, vanilla content because everyone's scared to offend.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Fans in the comments applauded Carpenter’s use of sarcasm to indirectly address the hoopla.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 26 June 2025
  • There’s always a little colored sarcasm in our music, there’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but then there is always some really deep meaningful subject matter on our records, too.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Californians should be outraged at such fragrant violations of the law, and of Californians’ right to privacy, by police agencies.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
  • Trump has dismissed the idea that his calls for Newsom’s arrest have provided the governor with a political advantage by outraging Democrats, despite his own arrests helping him during last year’s election.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 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 11 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insult

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