Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for "insulting"
  • present participle of insult.
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

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.

See Examples For:

Otero Alcantara, designated a prisoner of conscience by Amnesty International, was sentenced to five years in prison in 2022 for insulting national symbols, contempt and disturbing the public order.

From Barron's Jul. 18, 2026

The chasteness of Nolan’s version bugs me as it’s insulting he doesn’t trust audiences to grapple with this hero’s moral complexity — and I’m gut-sick that he’s probably right.

From Los Angeles Times Jul. 15, 2026

But Ham’s gambit is insulting on another level, because this is also a common sense issue.

From Salon Jul. 10, 2026

Police said a 56-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of displaying threatening, abusive or insulting material which is intended to stir up hatred.

From BBC Jul. 9, 2026

It’s like paranoia in reverse when people are really calling you insulting things and you deliberately pretend they aren’t.

From "The Pigman" by Paul Zindel

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Dictionary.com's Learning Companion

Go beyond just looking up words.
Remember them forever with VocabTrainer.

Start training