insulting 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of insultingnext
as in offensive

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insulting

2 of 2

verb

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to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in insulted their hosts by casually remarking about the outdated look of their home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

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 insulting
Adjective
The target of the anger and scorn in all the insulting posters, slogans, and graffiti of the protest zone was not the education minister but Modi himself. — Asim Ali, Time, 1 Aug. 2026 The big reveal that Rey was really the still-not-dead Emperor’s grand-daughter was incoherent and kind of insulting. — Adam Frank, Forbes.com, 31 July 2026
Verb
There isn’t a positive review in sight as the finders rip through strongly worded and insulting critiques from major music publications. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026 In June 2022, Cuban authorities sentenced Otero Alcántara to five years in prison on charges including public disorder, contempt and insulting national symbols. — Daniel Cassady, ARTnews.com, 20 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for insulting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insulting
  1. offensive
  2. offending
  3. outrageous
  4. outraging
  5. abusive
  6. taunting
  7. vituperative
  8. disrespecting
Adjective
  • The only intrigue at offensive line was the backup center battle between Hudson and Patrick.
    — Dan Duggan, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2026
  • The impact of new UNC offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino was felt immediately.
    — Scott Fowler, Charlotte Observer, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of offensive
Verb
  • DeChatelet, an acting instructor at Florida Atlantic University, uses his halting speech to depict a person who’s afraid of offending anyone.
    — Oline Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 24 Aug. 2026
  • The offending text directed any AI system reviewing the document to ensure textual outputs agreed with the plaintiff’s arguments, ignored prior denials from the court, and ensured that remediation would follow as the plaintiff desired.
    — Ashley Belanger, ArsTechnica, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of offending
Adjective
  • The facts of his biography, no matter how outrageous, could not possibly explain the sheer derangement of his output.
    — Becca Rothfeld, New Yorker, 29 Aug. 2026
  • The outfits are increasingly outrageous, including a number featuring knee-high pink leather boots paired with same colored short shorts and a leather bra and long lime green hair.
    — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of outrageous
Verb
  • The Hitlerite hordes are murdering and outraging the peaceful inhabitants of our country, having no mercy on women, children or old people.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 12 Aug. 2026
  • On Day 1 of the truce, and in the days since, Israel has stepped up attacks against Hezbollah, an Iranian proxy, in Lebanon, outraging Iran and leading to accusations the terms had been breached.
    — Justin Fishel, ABC News, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of outraging
Adjective
  • Dad is an abusive alcoholic, prone to berating and even assaulting his daughter in front of guests, of which Vangelio is currently the only one.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 30 Aug. 2026
  • Born into a dysfunctional and abusive household in 1929, Kusama spent much of her childhood in a military factory sewing parachutes for Japan’s imperial army during World War II.
    — Oscar Holland, CNN Money, 27 Aug. 2026
Definition of abusive
Verb
  • Cunningham’s highlights are hard fouls, a few 3-pointers, taunting, serving as a ring girl at a UFC fight, her sense of humor, and now commentary that has a Fox flair.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Aug. 2026
  • His gruff mechanic Cooter Davenport is introduced as a hell-raising, uncouth wild man, constantly taunting the authorities and flouting convention.
    — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of taunting
Adjective
  • In Maine, Graham Platner — who, like Avila Chevalier, had a vituperative social media history — easily defeated the state’s governor, Janet Mills, for the Senate nomination.
    — Michelle Goldberg, Mercury News, 27 June 2026
  • The Irish comedy writer has become better known for his assertion that trans women are men and criticism of trans activism, expressed in often vituperative social media posts.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 1 May 2026
Definition of vituperative
Verb
  • Oakley and Dolan have long feuded, with Oakley accusing Dolan of treating him less favorably than other Knicks legends, including by not providing him complimentary tickets and allegedly disrespecting him in other ways.
    — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • The leak itself received a mountain of backlash from industry professionals, animators and others for disrespecting the years of work put into crafting the film.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 7 July 2026
Definition of disrespecting

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insulting
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Cite this Entry

“Insulting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insulting. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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