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

This was interpreted in Israel as an insult to Jews who had lost their lives in their country’s war of independence.

From BBC

If the Senate doesn’t dismiss Gabbard’s nomination as an insult to the enterprise of intelligence gathering and analysis, then we are in serious trouble as a nation.

From Slate

And I was like, “I need you to bookend that with an insult” — I don’t know.

From Los Angeles Times

That last insult used to come from white supremacists.

From Los Angeles Times

"Unfortunately letters went out saying she wasn't impacted which added insult to injury and there has been a void in the interim and this sword of Damocles of owing money and being chased for it remains hanging over her 12 months later, which hasn't been good for her mental health."

From BBC

Related Words

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