Pronunciation

/ɪnˈsʌlt/

Definitions

• Noun: An expression or act that causes someone to feel offended, hurt, or belittled; a disrespectful or scornful remark or action. For example: “His words were intended as an insult to her intelligence.”
• Verb: To treat with disrespect or contempt by making offensive remarks or gestures; to demean or degrade someone. For example: “She couldn’t believe he had insulted her in front of their friends.”

Phrases

• “To offer/throw an insult”: To say or do something that is meant to be offensive.
• “Insult to injury”: An additional source of harm or irritation following an initial setback or problem. For example: “Having lost the game was bad enough, but losing it to our arch-rivals was adding insult to injury.”

Example Sentences

• Noun: “His constant insults eventually led her to end the friendship.”
• Verb: “Don’t insult my intelligence by lying to me.”

Synonyms

• Affront
• Mockery
• Disparagement
• Offense
• Slur
• Derision
• Insolence
• Taunt
• Demeaning Remarks

Antonyms (for the verb ‘to insult’):

• Respect
• Compliment
• Praise
• Honor
• Admire