insulting

[in-suhl-ting]

adjective

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

   Synonyms: nasty, offensive, derogatory, abusive, discourteous, rude

Other Word Forms

• insultingly adverb
• uninsulting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of insulting¹

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

Example Sentences

“The idea was, could you do magic without insulting people?”

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Take some solace, then, in that you are not crazy for thinking this is insulting, in all of its dystopian absurdity.

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The third license plate said “QUEER,” which the department said “may be considered insulting, degrading, or expressing contempt for a specific group or person.”

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Dr Gault said any suggestions from the authority and minister that schools were unwilling to accommodate SEN children was "profoundly insulting".

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Mr Hartson told the court it was time the police realised "it is not a criminal offence to be insulting".

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Related Words

• biting 
• degrading 
• derogatory 
• disparaging 
• disrespectful 
• hurtful 
• offensive 
• repulsive 
• rude