insult 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌsəlt How to pronounce insult (audio)
Definition of insultnext
as in sarcasm
an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings panelists on that political talk show simply exchange insults, not ideas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

insult

2 of 2

verb

in-ˈsəlt How to pronounce insult (audio)
as in to offend
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in insulted their hosts by casually remarking about the outdated look of their home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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
Firing him for putting his life on the line and acting consistent with his training is no justification for firing him and an insult to every officer risking his or her life daily. —Justin Muszynski, Hartford Courant, 27 Mar. 2026 Commentators have taken to treating gay and its synonyms as an insult. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
With it, everyone wins and no one gets hurt or insulted. —Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 27 Mar. 2026 Injury may have been added to insult late in the Dallas Stars’ 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders on Thursday. —Sportsday Staff, Dallas Morning News, 26 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult
  1. sarcasm
  2. offend
  3. outrage
  4. indignity
  5. slap
  6. affront
  7. epithet
Noun
  • Goldberg responded with open sarcasm and frustration.
    — Andrew Ravens‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026
  • That’s a heavy dose of sarcasm for those who overreacted to Judge’s first few at-bats of a long, grueling season.
    — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 27 Mar. 2026
Definition of sarcasm
Verb
  • The cynic in me might argue that having only a rear plate is a result of lobbying by various entities, such as insurance companies, who would be happy to not be able to pay out due to the inability to identify the offending vehicle.
    — Letters to the Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026
  • Across social media, videos show pups reacting to everything from fake treats and disappearing acts to harmless tricks like surprising them on walks outside, leaving them confused, curious and hilariously offended.
    — Kendall Malinchock, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of offend
Noun
  • The outrage was loud enough that, the following day, the Wizards released an apology.
    — Louisa Thomas, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
  • In Carlsbad, an 11-year-old Black girl was physically assaulted in an incident that sparked community outrage.
    — Fabienne Perlov, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of outrage
Noun
  • Her indignities are nothing compared with Nightingale’s.
    — Patt Morrison, Los Angeles Times, 2 Apr. 2026
  • Uncle Tom figured his Commander had suffered enough indignity and tried to end the meeting.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 1 Apr. 2026
Definition of indignity
Noun
  • The bearded blueliner has skated through the bumps and bruises that come with delivering checks and deflecting slap shots.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 3 Apr. 2026
  • That’s how Larry Graham came up with slap bass.
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 30 Mar. 2026
Definition of slap
Noun
  • Bovino flailed back at every affront instead of focusing on his mission, not realizing his recklessness was eroding public support for his cause and threatening it altogether.
    — Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 27 Mar. 2026
  • Any tension between them, though, stems from personal affronts, while their ideological differences exist as a largely unremarked upon undercurrent.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 25 Mar. 2026
Definition of affront
Noun
  • Tensions rose, neighbors said, to the point that King was heard at times swearing at Kirsten Wells as well as others using vulgar epithets.
    — Laura Bauer, Kansas City Star, 26 Mar. 2026
  • The person who shouted the epithet was John Davidson, an activist with Tourette syndrome, who removed himself from the room and later apologized, as did BAFTA and BBC, the show’s broadcaster, which failed to edit out the slur during the broadcast.
    — G. Allen Johnson, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2026
Definition of epithet

Browse Nearby Words

insulation
insult
insulted
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Cite this Entry

“Insult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insult. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on insult

Nglish: Translation of insult for Spanish Speakers

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