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Synonyms

insulting

American  
[in-suhl-ting] / ɪnˈsʌl tɪŋ /

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

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.

The socialist playwright George Bernard Shaw appears several times rudely insulting converts he knew.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 3, 2026

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

He has persisted in insulting the leaders of these countries for failing to bail him out of his jam, writing long screeds on social media that rail against their alleged perfidy.

From Salon • Mar. 19, 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

“I meant how did we leave without insulting him.”

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri

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

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.