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
But the men fell out dramatically days later, trading insults in an acrimonious public feud that included Musk taking credit for Trump’s election victory. Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2025 The insults soon devolve into sarcastically miming each other’s words like little kids. Jake Kring-Schreifels, Time, 26 June 2025
Verb
That word—entitled—is frequently thrown around to insult this generation, but there are some cases in which the unabashed expectation of fair treatment is a clear source of strength. Emma Sarappo, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025 In a series of posts on Truth Social, Trump has repeatedly insulted Powell and called him names. Jim Edwards, Fortune, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for insult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult
Verb
  • While some Hollywood studios such as Lionsgate and Blumhouse have collaborated with AI companies, others have been reluctant to announce partnerships at the risk of offending talent that have voiced concerns over how AI could be used to alter their digital likeness without adequate compensation.
    Wendy Lee, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2025
  • The LinkedIn feed is full of safe, vanilla content because everyone's scared to offend.
    Jodie Cook, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
Noun
  • Fans in the comments applauded Carpenter’s use of sarcasm to indirectly address the hoopla.
    Sam Reed, Glamour, 26 June 2025
  • There’s always a little colored sarcasm in our music, there’s a little tongue-in-cheek, but then there is always some really deep meaningful subject matter on our records, too.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 25 June 2025
Verb
  • Californians should be outraged at such fragrant violations of the law, and of Californians’ right to privacy, by police agencies.
    The Editorial Board, Oc Register, 20 June 2025
  • Trump has dismissed the idea that his calls for Newsom’s arrest have provided the governor with a political advantage by outraging Democrats, despite his own arrests helping him during last year’s election.
    Naomi Lim, The Washington Examiner, 13 June 2025
Noun
  • Brought on as a substitute in the 71st minute of Everton’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United in December 2019, Kean, then just 19, endured football’s ultimate indignity as he was hauled off just 18 minutes later by interim manager Duncan Ferguson.
    Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 8 July 2025
  • Despite all the indignities to which it’s been subjected, the show closes with its most unsparing season yet, an indictment of societies where money trumps humanity that roots out all forms of complicity—especially our own.
    Judy Berman, Time, 27 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insult. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on insult

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