Emotions / B1

in-SULT/ɪnˈsʌlt/

To insult is to offend with rude words or actions: insult someone; an insult (noun, stress on the first syllable). Offend is wider; abuse is stronger. Insulting is the adjective. Do not use insult for fair criticism in a review — that is criticise. The verb is /ɪnˈsʌlt/; the noun is /ˈɪnsʌlt/.

Meaning

To say or do something rude that offends someone.

Examples

• “He insulted the referee and was sent off.”
• “He insulted the waiter and was asked to leave.”
• “Calling the report “homework” was an insult to the research team, which is the noun.”

Good to know

Verb: insult someone /ɪnˈsʌlt/. Noun: an insult /ˈɪnsʌlt/. Wider: offend. Stronger: abuse. Fair comment ≠ insult.

Near in meaning

offend

Topics

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