Synonyms

insulting

American

[in-suhl-ting] / ɪnˈsʌl tɪŋ /

adjective

giving or causing insult; characterized by affronting rudeness, insolence, etc.

Synonyms:

nasty, offensive, derogatory, abusive, discourteous, rude

Other Word Forms

insultingly adverb
uninsulting adjective

Etymology

Origin of insulting

First recorded in 1585–95; insult + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Ian Lewer, who was at the 2018 rugby club dinner with his wife, said the joke was "crude, bad taste and insulting".

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

Research shows that advisers find it more insulting to be double-checked by a chatbot than by a human rival.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 21, 2026

“That feels insulting to a lot of people who are paying the taxes they owe every day.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 17, 2026

The young folk were always insulting him behind his back, the village chief complained.

From Barron's • Mar. 14, 2026

This was a little insulting, to be honest, but Twig shut her down real fast.

From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023