insult 1 of 4

insult

2 of 4

verb (1)

insulting

3 of 4

adjective

insulting

4 of 4

verb (2)

present participle of insult

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
Simmons' initial reaction to the insult was a bit more restrained than his typical unfiltered comments. Marina Watts, People.com, 14 Apr. 2025 Meanwhile, at least a few independent installers of Starlink dishes in Canada report online insults and even in-person confrontations from consumers upset at the US trade war with the country. Michael Kan, PC Magazine, 9 Apr. 2025
Verb
The world’s richest man also used the R-word to insult the intelligence of Navarro, an economic populist who is one of the most outspoken advocates for higher import taxes designed to protect American manufacturing. Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News, 8 Apr. 2025 Jim goaded Rick, insulted his mother and claimed his father wasn't a saint. Sydney Bucksbaum, EW.com, 7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
Sean Griffin, local executive council president for the union, said the pay is insulting. Chase Jordan, Charlotte Observer, 26 Mar. 2025 To suggest civil servants don’t work hard and could do more for less is insulting to the hundreds of thousands of hard-working federal workers earning their paychecks today. Chicago Tribune, 14 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insult
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insult
Adjective
  • Even children and adolescents express more willingness to shun and punish moral transgressors than people who do something personally obnoxious or offensive but not immoral.
    Jen Cole Wright, The Conversation, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Star left tackle Terron Armstead announced his retirement this offseason, making the offensive line an even bigger need for the team.
    Thomas G. Moukawsher, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Examples include belittling comments, patronizing questions, frequent interruptions, eye-rolling, sarcasm and mean jokes.
    Charles Trepany, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 2025
  • The episode also saw the sisters reflect on their relationship, which, as is typical with sisters, is filled with plenty of sarcasm and quips.
    Julia Moore, People.com, 20 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Waters’ career has been defined by his fearless — often outrageous — approach to spotlighting LGBTQ+ actors and themes.
    Jessica Gelt, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Amending the Constitution would not happen overnight, but starting the process would most definitely put the spotlight on Trump and the outrageous historical precedents set by those who came before him, which have helped to make our current national crisis not only possible but perhaps inevitable.
    Patrick Eddington, Oc Register, 20 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • My colleagues are stumped as to the real reason why, as am I. This has been a hot topic in my field and the outpouring of outrage and kindness has been overwhelming.
    R. Eric Thomas, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
  • My colleagues are stumped as to the real reason why, as am I. This has been a hot topic in my field, and the outpouring of outrage and kindness has been overwhelming.
    R. Eric Thomas, Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Huge Fed Challenge—Sparking Stock Market Plunge As Gold And Bitcoin Price Soar New Gmail Warning — Do Not Open This Email From Google Cena called out fans for being abusive, only to cheer for Heel Cena without apologizing.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
  • Spanking’s impact on a child is unfortunately similar to abusive hitting.
    Christina Erickson, The Conversation, 18 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • Murphy’s and Newcastle’s second, in particular, was Leicester’s greatest indignity.
    Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The egregious payout for Dolton’s schools chief isn’t the only indignity local taxpayers have had to swallow in recent history.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Trump’s vituperative persona, his enmity toward multilateralism, and his extreme policy agenda could easily sink the United States’ prospects for meaningful leadership of the G-20.
    Leslie Vinjamuri, Foreign Affairs, 15 Nov. 2024
  • Unlike Rhoades, a vituperative colossus, however, Williams brings a steely determination and a Joe Friday, just-the-facts mien to his lawyering in the court of public opinion.
    Cynthia Littleton, Variety, 4 Oct. 2024
Adjective
  • One upshot was Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996, which to this day insulates social media from legal liability for the content — however incendiary or scurrilous — that users post.
    Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2025
  • Facts won’t deter Republicans on this point, however, for the same reason that Trump and his running mate, J. D. Vance, keep repeating their scurrilous lies about Haitian immigrants eating the pets of Ohio: white anxiety about a diversifying country has become one of the Party’s greatest assets.
    Jonathan Blitzer, The New Yorker, 22 Sep. 2024

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Cite this Entry

“Insult.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insult. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.

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