insult

American  

[in-suhlt, in-suhlt] / ɪnˈsʌlt, ˈɪn sʌlt /

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, orover ).

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 British  

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. to make an unfair or unacceptable situation even worse

insult Idioms  

1. see add insult to injury.

---

Usage

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!

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• insultable
  adjective
• insulter
  noun
• preinsult
  verb (used with object)
• quasi-insulted
  adjective
• uninsultable
  adjective
• uninsulted
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of insult

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

Explanation

If you insult someone, you have offended that person — either intentionally or unintentionally — through your actions or words. You might insult your host if you refuse to try the dessert he made from pasta, nuts, and chocolate sauce. As a noun, an insult means rude words or actions. If you tell the umpire he needs glasses, then you've made a verbal insult. If, after the umpire calls your team out, you make an obscene gesture in his general direction, you've made another kind of insult. Either insult can potentially get you thrown out of the game.

Example Sentences

Hernandez understands that allowing them to vote in municipal elections might come off as an insult to the memory of civil rights activists who lost their lives fighting for that right for Black Americans.

From Los Angeles Times • May 6, 2026

But that dinner, more than anything else, adds a hardened glaze of insult to Megan’s allegation that Thompson cheated on her.

From Salon • Apr. 30, 2026

The meeting is expected to be Jerome Powell's last as chairman of the US central bank, a term that has seen President Donald Trump frequently insult and criticize him over the last year.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

“It’s an insult to the city,” said Homick, a 71-year-old retired UPS driver, during his daily stop at Richard’s Coffee Shop and military museum.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026

“I would not want to insult her, of course. But if she knew what we intend, she might object to conducting the séance to begin with. . . .”

From "The Unseen Guest" by Maryrose Wood

Related Words

• abuse
• affront
• blasphemy
• contempt
• disgrace
• disrespect
• indignity
• invective
• libel
• outrage
• put-down
• scorn
• shame
• slander
• slap
• slight
• snub
• taunt