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

Sadat said Ghares was tried on charges of "insulting a state institution" and "spreading false or malicious information likely to harm public order or security".

Read more on Barron's

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on Salon

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".

Read more on BBC

Related Words

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