insult

[ verb in-suhlt; noun in-suhlt ]

verb (used with object)

1. to treat or speak to insolently or with contemptuous rudeness; affront.

   Synonyms: abuse, injure, scorn, offend

   Antonyms: compliment

2. to affect as an affront; offend or demean.
3. Archaic. to attack; assault.

verb (used without object)

1. Archaic. to behave with insolent triumph; exult contemptuously (usually followed by on, upon, or over ).

noun

1. an insolent or contemptuously rude action or remark; affront.

   Synonyms: outrage, offense

   Antonyms: compliment

2. something having the effect of an affront:

   That book is an insult to one's intelligence.

3. Medicine/Medical.
   1. an injury or trauma.
   2. an agent that inflicts this.
4. Archaic. an attack or assault.

insult

verb

1. to treat, mention, or speak to rudely; offend; affront
2. obsolete.
   to assault; attack

noun

1. an offensive or contemptuous remark or action; affront; slight
2. a person or thing producing the effect of an affront

   some television is an insult to intelligence

3. med an injury or trauma
4. add insult to injury
   to make an unfair or unacceptable situation even worse

Derived Forms

• inˈsulter, noun

Other Words From

• in·sulta·ble adjective
• in·sulter noun
• prein·sult verb (used with object)
• quasi-in·sulted adjective
• unin·sulta·ble adjective
• unin·sulted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of insult¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin insultāre “to jump on, insult,” equivalent to in- in- ² + -sultāre, combining form of saltāre “to jump”; saltant

Word History and Origins

Origin of insult¹

C16: from Latin insultāre to jump upon, from in- ² + saltāre to jump

Idioms and Phrases

see add insult to injury .

Synonym Study

Insult, indignity, affront, slight imply an act that injures another's honor, self-respect, etc. Insult implies such insolence of speech or manner as deeply humiliates or wounds one's feelings and arouses to anger. Indignity is especially used of inconsiderate, contemptuous treatment toward one entitled to respect. Affront implies open disrespect or offense shown, as it were, to the face. Slight may imply inadvertent indifference or disregard, which may also indicate ill-concealed contempt.

Example Sentences

“An 11th hour partisan proposal released 415 days after the expiration of the current farm bill is insulting,” he wrote.

From Salon

Politicians had to "stop insulting your intelligence with the chicanery of easy answers, when that is exactly how we got into this mess in the first place", he said.

From BBC

He has also proven erratic, at one point praising them, at another insulting them and starting trade wars with China.

From Salon

Years before the Baum insult, the two-time Emmy nominee had been candid about her journey to Hollywood, telling The Times in 2022 that it had been far from easy.

From Los Angeles Times

He routinely called us “fake news” and insulted us.

From Salon

Related Words

• annoy
• curse
• humiliate
• irritate
• libel
• mock
• outrage
• provoke
• ridicule
• slander
• taunt

More About Insult

What is an insult?

An insult is a rude action or remark meant to harm someone’s reputation or hurt their feelings. Insults come in many forms, often attacking the mental or physical characteristics of someone or something. 

To insult someone is to offend or demean them, as by making harmful remarks.

An insult is also something that has the effect of a harmful remark. For example, you could say that your father telling you how to do something that you know how to do is an insult to your intelligence, even though your father was trying to be helpful rather than insulting. You can feel insulted without someone intentionally being rude because feelings are unplanned reactions, meaning some people find it best to think about whether the insult was intended or not. Insults are sometimes exchanged lightheartedly among friends just for fun.

Example: How dare she insult me like that on such an important day!

Where does insult come from?

The first records of the term insult come from around 1560. It comes from the Latin insultāre, meaning “to jump on, insult.” 

 Insults are often used as shock comedy and in roasts of people, usually celebrities. These events or social media threads usually involve people insulting others in good fun by poking at their actions, deeds, or characteristics that may be seen as negative. Often these types of insults are made in jest and are half-truths. Other times, though, people can make jokes at others’ expense that are actually real insults that offend and demean them. Being insulted is never a comfortable thing, and it’s wise to think before saying something hurtful.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to insult?

• insulting (adjective)
• insulter (noun)
• preinsult (verb)
• uninsulted (adjective)

What are some synonyms for insult?

• abuse
• disrespect
• put-down
• annoy
• slander
• taunt

What are some words that share a root or word element with insult? 

• saltant
• insulting

What are some words that often get used in discussing insult?

• character
• outrage
• reputation

How is insult used in real life?

The word insult is commonly used as both a noun and a verb. The word is typically used in the context of comments considered demeaning, but insults are sometimes exchanged among friends in a joking way.

In order to insult me, I must first value your opinion.

— Odell Beckham Jr (@obj) August 14, 2017

If you take correction as an insult, you will never grow.

— reggie mills (@MillsReggie) December 1, 2020

me, with $27 in my checking account, looking at $3M homes online: “the size of this in-ground pool is an insult”

— caleb (@calebsaysthings) September 10, 2020

 

Try using insult!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for insult?

A. help
B. annoy
C. irritate
D. slander