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
The president has responded with myriad tariffs, economic threats and personal insults toward Canada — and repeatedly has suggested Canada should be the U.S.'s 51st state. Alex Thompson, Axios, 28 Mar. 2025 Speaking of: Jeff’s insult to Misty was pretty good. Esther Zuckerman, New York Times, 28 Mar. 2025
Verb
Instead, the administration’s de facto chief operating officer, Elon Musk, publicly insulted Poland, America’s European ally with the most robust defense program on the continent, now funded to the level of almost 5 percent of GDP. David Frum, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2025 One of the other early participants is Keith, who is described as bright and problematic, violent when insulted. Mark Pazniokas, Hartford Courant, 10 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult
Verb
  • A lot of the time, the people on the stage or on the show, they’re not even offended.
    CT Jones, Rolling Stone, 10 Apr. 2025
  • That clip became so prominent in part because, the same week, Barrett offended the Trump base.
    Niall Stanage, The Hill, 9 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • While slight disparities have been common in the past, the major difference sparked fury among Arab Muslims on social media, sarcasm and confusion for travelers.
    Ron Estes, MSNBC Newsweek, 31 Mar. 2025
  • Investors did not appreciate his sarcasm either, and the stock is down 2.6% since GTC25 kicked off.
    Karl Freund, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The shooting Saturday in Pocatello outraged the boy's family and neighbors as well as viewers online who questioned why the officers opened fire within about 12 seconds of exiting their patrol cars while making no apparent effort to de-escalate the situation or use less lethal weapons.
    CBS News, CBS News, 9 Apr. 2025
  • On Saturday, tens of thousands of protesters outraged by Trump's leadership since his return to office for a second term on January 20 took to the streets in all 50 states.
    John W. Dean, MSNBC Newsweek, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • The book is filled with similar anecdotes that capture the peculiar indignities of those catering to the whims of the most powerful people in the world.
    Charlie Warzel, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2025
  • Both win, so much so as to overcome scandals and investigations, public dignities and indignities, personal sensitivities and insensitivities, and survive no matter what.
    Brendan Quinn, The Athletic, 21 Mar. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insult. Accessed 14 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insult

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