as in sarcasms
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings
panelists on that political talk show simply exchange insults, not ideas
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in offends
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
insulted their hosts by casually remarking about the outdated look of their home
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insults
Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Davidson also shouted out other insults and profanity during the evening, according to Variety.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Why is Nicki Minaj throwing insults at one of Cardi B’s children and generating images of her as the purple dinosaur Barney?
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Employees at an El Dorado Hills fast food restaurant went on a one-day strike, after a manager reportedly flung insults and acted unprofessionally to Latino workers.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
When Lucy confesses to sleeping with Evan, Pippa’s insults for Lucy could rival even some of Stephen’s greatest hits.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
In the video, one Palestinian insults Levi and another challenges him to shoot.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
When a witness responds with adolescent insults rather than substantive answers, the deterioration in tone cannot be fairly placed at lawmakers’ feet.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
Out of office, the Obamas have handled these grotesque insults differently.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The paddling comes as revenge for multiple times Marty insults the businessman throughout the movie.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.
—Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi insults Democrats in Senate hearing.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
In the case of Governor Pritzker insults his body, body shamed him.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
No matter how many times Putin insults the president and ignores his calls for a total ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump returns for more humiliation.
—Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Noun
Don't demand full refunds for minor issues, and avoid insults or aggressive language, which can quickly turn the situation into a standoff.
—Joshua Sidorowicz, CBS News, 24 Feb. 2026
Davidson also shouted out other insults and profanity during the evening, according to Variety.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 23 Feb. 2026
Why is Nicki Minaj throwing insults at one of Cardi B’s children and generating images of her as the purple dinosaur Barney?
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 21 Feb. 2026
Employees at an El Dorado Hills fast food restaurant went on a one-day strike, after a manager reportedly flung insults and acted unprofessionally to Latino workers.
—Camila Pedrosa, Sacbee.com, 17 Feb. 2026
When Lucy confesses to sleeping with Evan, Pippa’s insults for Lucy could rival even some of Stephen’s greatest hits.
—Kathleen Walsh, Vulture, 17 Feb. 2026
In the video, one Palestinian insults Levi and another challenges him to shoot.
—Sam Metz, Los Angeles Times, 16 Feb. 2026
When a witness responds with adolescent insults rather than substantive answers, the deterioration in tone cannot be fairly placed at lawmakers’ feet.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 16 Feb. 2026
Out of office, the Obamas have handled these grotesque insults differently.
—David Remnick, New Yorker, 16 Feb. 2026
Verb
As the President insults allies, woos dictators, and spurns long-standing commitments, Rubio has to convince his counterparts that America will not entirely abandon its friends.
—Dexter Filkins, New Yorker, 12 Jan. 2026
The paddling comes as revenge for multiple times Marty insults the businessman throughout the movie.
—Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Basil, of course, is far from perfect, a rude, neurotic, accident-prone manager who insults guests, hides his gambling winnings from his wife and organizes an elaborate impersonation of her when his surprise anniversary party backfires.
—Rhett Bartlett, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Attorney General Pam Bondi insults Democrats in Senate hearing.
—Sudiksha Kochi, USA Today, 8 Oct. 2025
In the case of Governor Pritzker insults his body, body shamed him.
—Khaleda Rahman, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Aug. 2025
No matter how many times Putin insults the president and ignores his calls for a total ceasefire in Ukraine, Trump returns for more humiliation.
—Trudy Rubin, Mercury News, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insults
Verb
-
If that language offends you — come on.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Jan. 2026
-
If one employee offends another, they are fired on the spot.—
Nick Vivarelli,
Variety,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
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As has always been the case in my life, my main way of responding to political outrages is through writing and reading.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Jan. 2026
-
Rideout’s trial, for example, teemed with outrages.—
S. C. Cornell,
New Yorker,
5 Jan. 2026
Verb
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So much for Anthropic's Super Bowl taunts.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
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In a 30-second clip, Adams is seen leaving a jet bridge while a woman who is walking ahead of him seemingly taunts Adams.—
Marley Malenfant,
Austin American Statesman,
15 Jan. 2026
Noun
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But the indignities have been enough to make many traditionally steadfast American partners talk in private about a permanent rupture in relations with Washington.—
Simon Shuster,
The Atlantic,
18 Feb. 2026
-
This time around, aside from warding off mental demons that arose from her crash, Shiffrin, at 30, must also fight the indignities of age.—
Sean Gregory,
Time,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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What once killed campaigns now barely wounds them.—
Mandy Taheri,
MSNBC Newsweek,
5 Nov. 2025
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Even with all of them in place, Shirley misses the masked attacker sneaking his way up to the apartment door, and Lamb’s attempt to blind him with bleach creates a chaotic struggle that wounds the assailant without containing him.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
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On that day, the mob hurled racist epithets, smoke bombs, and fists at him.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
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When the time came for Alan Cumming to cease deliberations, Michael was reduced to sputtering epithets in random sequences.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
16 Jan. 2026
Noun
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Comments that once elicited antagonistic barbs are met with calm acceptance.—
Jon Wiederhorn,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Feb. 2026
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From Callum Turner‘s cheekbones and Fanning’s wide eyes to Keough’s legs and Lukas Gage’s curls, beauty strikes at every turn, yet barely conceals the barbs and thorns such looks envelop here.—
David Opie,
IndieWire,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
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Indeed, various curses and slurs could be heard shouted from the audience at London's Royal Festival Hall, even during some segments broadcast to audiences in England and abroad.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
22 Feb. 2026
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North Texas Muslim leaders are calling on public officials to speak out after a man spewing anti-Islamic slurs harassed a group praying at a park in Plano.—
Sarah Bahari,
Dallas Morning News,
16 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insults. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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