INSULT Synonyms: 91 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'insult' distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insult are affront , offend , and outrage . While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame. // insulted every guest at the party

Q: When might 'affront' be a better fit than 'insult'?

The synonyms affront and insult are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy. // deeply affronted by his callousness

Q: When would 'offend' be a good substitute for 'insult'?

The words offend and insult are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting. // hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Q: Where would 'outrage' be a reasonable alternative to 'insult'?

The words outrage and insult can be used in similar contexts, but outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings. // outraged by their accusations

insult 1 of 2

noun

ˈin-ˌsəlt

Definition of insult

as in sarcasm

an act or expression showing scorn and usually intended to hurt another's feelings panelists on that political talk show simply exchange insults, not ideas

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

insult

2 of 2

verb

in-ˈsəlt

as in to offend

to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in insulted their hosts by casually remarking about the outdated look of their home

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How is the word insult distinct from other similar verbs?

Some common synonyms of insult are affront, offend, and outrage. While all these words mean "to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment," insult suggests deliberately causing humiliation, hurt pride, or shame.

insulted every guest at the party

When might affront be a better fit than insult?

The synonyms affront and insult are sometimes interchangeable, but affront implies treating with deliberate rudeness or contemptuous indifference to courtesy.

deeply affronted by his callousness

When would offend be a good substitute for insult?

The words offend and insult are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, offend need not imply an intentional hurting but it may indicate merely a violation of the victim's sense of what is proper or fitting.

hoped that my remarks had not offended her

Where would outrage be a reasonable alternative to insult?

The words outrage and insult can be used in similar contexts, but outrage implies offending beyond endurance and calling forth extreme feelings.

outraged by their accusations

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of insult

Noun

Yet in a land where machismo still reigns, it’s considered a rather severe insult. — Jeanne Bonner, CNN Money, 16 Oct. 2026 In a round robin of insults, Proto blasted the incumbent Democratic senator who first won election in 2022. — Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 14 Oct. 2026

Verb

Respect for people, respect for property, and therefore a commitment not to insult or destroy. — Tyler Speicher, FOXNews.com, 17 Oct. 2026 Morgan is insulted, and the scene takes a turn for the cliché. — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for insult

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult

Noun

There’s a hint of sarcasm in that statement, but also a dose of reality.

— Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 15 Oct. 2026
Returning the sarcasm tends to cause the same problem, with two people annoyed instead of one.

— Angela Haupt, Time, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of sarcasm

Verb

David Spade thinks people have gotten a little too comfortable being offended.

— Lauryn Overhultz, FOXNews.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Interestingly, there is no statistically detectable difference in offending rates before college, suggesting the future fraternity members weren’t always fundamentally different in their behavior.

— Jens Ludwig, Chicago Tribune, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of offend

Noun

The attack sparked outrage in Israel, with Netanyahu traveling to the attack site and vowing to respond forcefully.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 26 Oct. 2026
The housing protests gathered pace last month, fueled by outrage over the eviction of an 87-year-old woman from her home of seven decades in downtown Madrid.

— ABC News, ABC News, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of outrage

Noun

Meanwhile, Amy’s parents, Birdie (Bailey) and Geoff (Jesson), navigate the indignities of getting older.

— Clayton Davis, Variety, 5 Oct. 2026
The franchise has not earned their trust or patience, not after losing 100 games for the fourth straight season, an indignity last accomplished by the 1962-65 New York Mets.

— Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of indignity

Noun

The attack is not so much a matter of precision as enclosing an area—hopefully a space that the fly is within when her jaws slap shut.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Oct. 2026
There has been no more satisfying slap in cinema this year than the one Erika lands on a smug German actor, leading to a wicked punchline that shouldn’t be spoiled.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 23 Oct. 2026

Definition of slap

Noun

The first Prancing Horse without a combustion engine was always going to be an affront to the most hard-core faction of the brand’s many loyalists, but disappointment with the important model surpassed even them.

— Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 22 Oct. 2026
Christophe Hansen, the European Union's Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, denounced the attack as an affront on European food safety.

— Robert McGreevy, FOXNews.com, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of affront

Noun

In the lawsuit, the family also claimed that an Oaks Christian School teacher accused their son of lying about the harassment after a student called him a racial epithet inside a classroom.

— Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026
The American Civil Liberties Union sued in February, alleging officers hurled racial epithets, acted violently, and largely withheld food, water, bathrooms and medical care.

— Sarah Cutler, Idaho Statesman, 19 Oct. 2026

Definition of epithet

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insulation

insult

insulted

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“Insult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insult. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of insult

noun

verb

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