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insulted their hosts by casually remarking about the outdated look of their home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
ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The fan repeatedly shouted insults at Punk while pledging allegiance to Reigns.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Laughs and insults, all expressed at a high volume, were guaranteed to follow.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Leilah Herrera, a player who left the USF team in 2021, said in a deposition video that the insults would fly every practice.
—Julia Haney, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
After the raucous gathering in Maryvale, advocates alleged there had been an effort to intimidate Latino residents, including the use of racial insults in a forum intended to gather their input and check on the Sheriff’s Office’s progress.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2026
Cyrus said, with the two characters throwing insults at each other constantly.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
Quinlan is proud protesters have ignored MAGA supporters who have driven past, waving flags, honking horns and shouting insults during previous events.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Both Slusser and Ray have gone viral on social media in recent weeks after speaking out, prompting criticism and even online insults from people with pro-transgender views.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Justin Davidson, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
The game was halted in the 35th minute and the announcer at Stade Pierre-Mauroy urged the Lille fans to stop the insults hurled at their opponents.
—ABC News, 4 Apr. 2026
The fan repeatedly shouted insults at Punk while pledging allegiance to Reigns.
—Andrew Ravens, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2026
Laughs and insults, all expressed at a high volume, were guaranteed to follow.
—Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2026
Leilah Herrera, a player who left the USF team in 2021, said in a deposition video that the insults would fly every practice.
—Julia Haney, NPR, 28 Mar. 2026
After the raucous gathering in Maryvale, advocates alleged there had been an effort to intimidate Latino residents, including the use of racial insults in a forum intended to gather their input and check on the Sheriff’s Office’s progress.
—Rafael Carranza, ProPublica, 26 Mar. 2026
Cyrus said, with the two characters throwing insults at each other constantly.
—Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 24 Mar. 2026
Quinlan is proud protesters have ignored MAGA supporters who have driven past, waving flags, honking horns and shouting insults during previous events.
—Steve Metsch, Chicago Tribune, 23 Mar. 2026
Both Slusser and Ray have gone viral on social media in recent weeks after speaking out, prompting criticism and even online insults from people with pro-transgender views.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 19 Mar. 2026
Verb
Saariaho never once loses control of momentum and never insults her own tastefulness.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 7 Apr. 2026
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
Noun
-
First seen at a night-club table of menacing lowlifes, Ida, whose mother tongue is Brooklynese, suddenly switches to a heavy British accent and dispenses a torrent of highly literary sarcasms.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
4 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Obviously the blandness of a tan wall offends them.—
Joan Morris,
Mercury News,
9 Mar. 2026
-
If that language offends you — come on.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
More recently, Tandy Hills experienced issues with ATVs being driven through the park and damaging wildflowers, sparking outrages on social media from people who demanded the city take action.—
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
25 Mar. 2026
-
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
Verb
-
So much for Anthropic's Super Bowl taunts.—
Alexei Oreskovic,
Fortune,
10 Feb. 2026
-
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
-
Her indignities are nothing compared with Nightingale’s.—
Patt Morrison,
Los Angeles Times,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Part of this has been realizing how humor is the only thing to carry all of us through the indignities of aging and caretaking.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
31 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Chops, gouges, wounds it like the shadow grooves on the sidewalks—the sun is setting earlier.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
16 Mar. 2026
-
Imperfect fleshly reality occupies the stage, the region where bones crack and wounds suppurate, schlumpy humans fall for each other, and jealousy roams murderously free.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
11 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.—
Laura Bauer,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
-
On that day, the mob hurled racist epithets, smoke bombs, and fists at him.—
Philip Elliott,
Time,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
One effect of this austerity and repression is to focus attention on Albee’s language, with its slippery banalities and barbs.—
Steven Winn,
San Francisco Chronicle,
3 Apr. 2026
-
Les and Lindy can push each other's buttons and wind each other with barbs that only the closest couples have the power to sling.—
Sarah Rodman,
Entertainment Weekly,
31 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insults.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insults. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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