insulting

1 of 2

adjective

in·​sult·​ing in-ˈsəl-tiŋ How to pronounce insulting (audio)
: giving or intended to give offense : being or containing an insult (see insult entry 2 sense 1)
Without the wit, of course, such sentiments would be construed as deeply insultingThe American Scholar
… pasted insulting bumper stickers on their vehicles …James A. Michener
… considered the proposal so impracticable as to be insulting.Alice Adams
The book is "dumbed down" to an almost insulting level.Joel Bangilan
insultingly adverb
But always his triumphs are the triumphs of a highly sensitive man: a man must feel insults before he can so insultingly and splendidly avenge them. G. K. Chesterton
He is a gifted preacher, fashioning sermons that are neither inaccessibly erudite nor insultingly shallow. Kevin Sack

insulting

2 of 2

present participle of insult entry 1

Examples of insulting in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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Adjective
Formula One's governing body, the FIA, has categorized certain actions and behaviors as 'misconduct,' which include insulting or inappropriate language and gestures. Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 20 Mar. 2025 Meghan’s infamous mock curtsy, which was seen as insulting… was [a] low point. Stephanie Nolasco, Fox News, 17 Mar. 2025 Having personal experience with old-school torch welding, MIG, and caveman stick welding, the X1 Pro comes off a little insulting, to be honest. New Atlas, 8 Mar. 2025 Musk has been accused of supporting antisemitic claims and insulting victims of Nazism. Matt Lavietes, NBC News, 8 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insulting

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

circa 1616, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insulting was circa 1616

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Cite this Entry

“Insulting.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insulting. Accessed 29 Mar. 2025.

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