51Թ

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View synonyms for

insult

[in-suhlt, in-suhlt]

verb (used with object)

  1. to treat or speak to insolently or with contemptuous rudeness; affront.

    Synonyms: , , ,
    Antonyms:
  2. to affect as an affront; offend or demean.

  3. Archaic.to attack; assault.



verb (used without object)

  1. Archaic.to behave with insolent triumph; exult contemptuously (usually followed by on, upon, orover ).

noun

  1. an insolent or contemptuously rude action or remark; affront.

    Synonyms: ,
    Antonyms:
  2. something having the effect of an affront.

    That book is an insult to one's intelligence.

  3. Medicine/Medical.

    1. an injury or trauma.

    2. an agent that inflicts this.

  4. Archaic.an attack or assault.

insult

verb

  1. to treat, mention, or speak to rudely; offend; affront

  2. obsoleteto assault; attack

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. an offensive or contemptuous remark or action; affront; slight

  2. a person or thing producing the effect of an affront

    some television is an insult to intelligence

  3. med an injury or trauma

  4. to make an unfair or unacceptable situation even worse

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • insultable adjective
  • insulter noun
  • preinsult verb (used with object)
  • quasi-insulted adjective
  • uninsultable adjective
  • uninsulted adjective
  • ˈܱٱ noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of insult1

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin Բܱ “to jump on, insult,” equivalent to in- in- 2 + -ܱ, combining form of “to jump”; saltant
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of insult1

C16: from Latin Բܱ to jump upon, from in- ² + to jump
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Idioms and Phrases

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Synonym Study

Insult, indignity, affront, slight imply an act that injures another's honor, self-respect, etc. Insult implies such insolence of speech or manner as deeply humiliates or wounds one's feelings and arouses to anger. Indignity is especially used of inconsiderate, contemptuous treatment toward one entitled to respect. Affront implies open disrespect or offense shown, as it were, to the face. Slight may imply inadvertent indifference or disregard, which may also indicate ill-concealed contempt.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Perfect for your morning coffee, evening wind-down, or whenever you need a dose of clear-eyed commentary that doesn't insult your intelligence.

From

Why, then, would you invite someone like that — someone who has insulted you and threatened to take all you hold dear — into your home?

From

He left his role as a judge on ITV show Britain's Got Talent that year after an audio recording of him making insulting comments about contestants were made public.

From

“If people want to hurl insults, we will protect that,” he said.

From

"Today's rail spending announcement is an insult to the people of Wales," he added.

From

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When To Use

What is aninsult?

An insult is a rude action or remark meant to harm someone’s reputation or hurt their feelings. Insults come in many forms, often attacking the mental or physical characteristics of someone or something. To insult someone is to offend or demean them, as by making harmful remarks.An insult is also something that has the effect of a harmful remark. For example, you could say that your father telling you how to do something that you know how to do is an insult to your intelligence, even though your father was trying to be helpful rather than insulting. You can feel insulted without someone intentionally being rude because feelings are unplanned reactions, meaning some people find it best to think about whether the insult was intended or not. Insults are sometimes exchanged lightheartedly among friends just for fun.Example: How dare she insult me like that on such an important day!

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