INSULT Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

insult 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌsəlt

Definition of insult next

as in offence

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

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to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in insulted their hosts by casually remarking about the outdated look of their home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

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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

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Recent Examples of insult

Noun

Many of those fans, who share Swift's political beliefs as a Democrat, then flooded Brittany's pages with insults and attacks. —

Jackson Thompson, Fox News, 18 Jan. 2025 Social media is Trump’s territory, and its norms—insults without consequence, braggadocio, and flame wars—line up neatly with his way of doing politics. —

Jay Caspian Kang, The New Yorker, 16 Jan. 2025

Verb

Some people may feel slighted or insulted by your detailed explanations. —

Ryley Amond, CNBC, 31 Dec. 2024 Cooper’s comment — while said light-heartedly — likely refers to a 2021 incident in which Cohen claims he was served too much alcohol during the live event, leading him to insult a competing New Year’s broadcast on ABC hosted by Ryan Seacrest. —

Toria Sheffield, People.com, 29 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for insult

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult

Verb

Once benefits have been established, though, they cannot be denied or taken away from specific individuals in a manner that offends those individuals' rights to due process or equal protection, such as if specific individuals were denied benefits because of their race, religion, or national origin.

— Shane Croucher, Newsweek, 29 Jan. 2025
Why does that extremely violent scene offend me, and this other extremely violent scene in another film, by another director, justify its particulars?

— Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 29 Jan. 2025