Word
insult
An insult is a rude remark or action that offends someone.
Meanings
A rude or offensive remark or action that makes someone feel disrespected.
To say or do something that offends or disrespects someone.
Definition
An insult is something you say or do that is intended to offend, humiliate, or show disrespect. It can be a direct comment, a sarcastic remark, or even a dismissive gesture. In formal contexts, it can also refer to the act of offending someone, not just the words used.
Examples
- His comment about my presentation felt like an insult, even if he claimed it was a joke.
- I won’t insult your intelligence by pretending this problem has an easy fix.
- She took it as an insult when they ignored her questions during the meeting.
- They tried to insult him online, but he refused to engage and blocked the account.
Common mistake
Learners often confuse the noun and verb stress: the noun is usually stressed on the first syllable (INSult), while the verb is stressed on the second (inSULT).
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