INSULT Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

insult 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌsəlt

Definition of insult next

as in offence

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

insult

2 of 2

verb

in-ˈsəlt

as in to offend

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in insulted their hosts by casually remarking about the outdated look of their home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

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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

Examples of insult in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Nomen

During that conversation — calling it an interview is an insult to anyone who has ever asked a sentient question — Trump gave the usual rants, including his promise to close the U.S. Department of Education. —

Anita Chabria, Los Angeles Times, 13 Aug. 2024 Don’t take unnecessary risks that have the potential to lead to injury, insult or illness. —

Eugenia Last, The Mercury News, 13 Aug. 2024

Verb

Move Forward had proposed radical reforms to capitalize on years of rising anger with how Thailand is governed, including amendments to the country’s notoriously strict lese majeste laws that criminalize insulting senior members of the royal family. —

Helen Regan, CNN, 14 Aug. 2024 What is at stake is not just removing insulting names in and of themselves, but ensuring that the places marked by these names feel more welcoming and respectful of all Americans. —

Daniel Oto-Peralías, The Conversation, 14 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for insult

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insult.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.