Skip to main content
insult

insult

313 1.3
A rude remark or action that hurts someone's feelings
  • noun
  • /ˈɪnˌsʌlt/
  • Offensive
translation icon : insulto
  • The teacher's remark was an insult to my intelligence.
  • add insult to injury
  • verbal insults
  • a personal insult

I didn't get the insult vibe at all.

Autoplay Next

Examples

  • She'd never heard the term before, but she recognized an insult when she heard one.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • - It's an insult to my people!

  • OK, OK, that is first of all an insult to both shows.

  • I think it's such an insult, just so many people.

  • Calling him a useful idiot is an insult to useful idiots.

  • It's an insult to decency.

  • For many fans, our indifference is an insult to the world of soccer.

    Academic text (1994)
  • I came over here with kindness in my heart, and all I did was get pelted with insults and food!

  • The immigration debate has added insult to injury by antagonizing Mexico without accomplishing anything.

    Academic text (2008)
  • Your life tends to be punctuated by insults and by invalidation.

Synonyms

abuse
vsinsult
  • Offensive
155 3.4

Rude or insulting words said to hurt someone

covers such language but also rude actions that hurt feelings
slur
vsinsult
  • Offensive
54 7.4

An insulting remark that harms someone's reputation

focuses more on hurting feelings or dignity generally rather than reputation alone
slam
vsinsult
  • Offensive
34 6.3

An insulting remark meant to hurt someone

is similar but can also be less aggressive and merely rude
affront
vsinsult
28 7.4

A deliberate action that offends or shows no respect

is the general noun for any rude or offensive act that hurts feelings
epithet
vsinsult
  • Offensive
17 8.7

An insulting word or phrase that hurts someone

is the wider idea including actions and longer spoken insults
aspersion
vsinsult
11 9.8

A remark that says bad things about someone to hurt their reputation

is wider, applying to offensive acts that hurt feelings not only reputation
low blow
vsinsult
  • Offensive
8 5.5

A remark or action that unfairly hurts someone's feelings

is any rude or offensive act, not only unfair or low tactics
vilification
vsinsult
  • Formal
6 8.4

Saying or writing very harsh and unfair things about someone to damage their reputation

is the general hurtful remark or action, not necessarily sustained defamation
nasty comment
vsinsult
  • Offensive
4 3.5

A rude remark that hurts or upsets someone

is the general term for any rude remark or action that hurts
disparagement
vsinsult
3 8.1

Talking about someone in a way that shows dislike and makes them seem unimportant

is more about nastiness that hurts feelings or dignity broadly
insulting remark
vsinsult
  • Offensive
1 3.2

A rude comment meant to hurt someone or show no respect

includes both spoken remarks and actions that hurt dignity
revilement
vsinsult
  • Offensive
9.3

A set of harsh insulting words meant to hurt someone

is broader, applying to single acts or words that wound dignity
contumely
vsinsult
  • Offensive
9.9

Rude words or actions that aim to hurt someone

also covers milder or brief remarks that harm feelings rather than contempt
sharp-edged comment
vsinsult
  • Offensive
6.6

A remark that is harsh and meant to hurt someone's feelings

is broader, covering insults not only critical but also mocking or rude
injuria
vsinsult
  • Offensive
9.9

An insult that harms someone's reputation or dignity

also includes spoken words that hurt feelings without legal harm
derogation
vsinsult
8.6

A comment or action that makes someone feel unimportant

is the simpler label for any rude or offensive remark or action
dick response
vsinsult
  • Offensive
9.9

A reply that is rude on purpose and meant to upset someone

includes such replies but also one-sided rude actions or comments
friendly insult
vsinsult
  • Informal
4.5

A joke people who know each other well say to tease without meaning harm

is a hurtful or offensive act that actually harms feelings or dignity

Antonyms

342 1.6

A polite remark that praises someone or something

331 1.0

To tell a person that you admire or approve of them

Idioms

12 4.5

To make a bad situation worse by saying or doing something that hurts someone more

Compounds

A joking name for a long list of insults

friendly insult
  • Informal
4.5

A joke people who know each other well say to tease without meaning harm

How Offensive

insult
  • Offensive
313 1.3
nasty comment
  • Offensive
4 3.5

Surface Forms

insult singular
insults plural

Etymology

The word insult comes from the Latin parts in- 'on' and saltare 'to leap', because it once meant to 'leap on' someone as a physical attack. That's why a modern insult is like a 'word attack' that hurts someone's feelings.