as in offensive
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as in offending
to cause hurt feelings or deep resentment in
insulted their hosts by casually remarking about the outdated look of their home
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of insulting
Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
While their insulting jabs at each other make for good laughs, their arc as teammates learning to work together is what gives the film its heart.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
And Cora is so good at threading needles on these issues, as in communicating his wishes without insulting this or that player.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insulting
Adjective
Some citizens of the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec, which includes Air Canada’s home city of Montreal, claimed Rousseau’s English-only message was insulting, especially as one of the two pilots who died in the incident, Antoine Forest, was a French-speaking Quebecer.
—Marco Quiroz-Gutierrez, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2026
While their insulting jabs at each other make for good laughs, their arc as teammates learning to work together is what gives the film its heart.
—Glenn Garner, Deadline, 13 Mar. 2026
Verb
Think about more positive interpretations before presuming someone is insulting you.
—Tarot.com, Sun Sentinel, 12 Apr. 2026
And Cora is so good at threading needles on these issues, as in communicating his wishes without insulting this or that player.
—Steve Buckley, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insulting
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insulting
Adjective
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Bell is a big-bodied offensive weapon who doesn’t just look like a running back.—
Alec Lewis,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2026
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In terms of specific positions, Maugioa is the sixth Hurricanes offensive lineman to be selected in the first round, while Bain and Mesidor are the eighth and ninth UM defensive ends/edge rushers taken in the first round.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
26 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Kimmel refused to apologize for offending the first lady, noting the joke drew little initial reaction until the unrelated shooting.—
Meg James,
Los Angeles Times,
28 Apr. 2026
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The offending vehicle fled in an unknown direction.—
Jeramie Bizzle,
CBS News,
25 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Expecting dull days and strict rules, the boy instead stumbles into a world of delightful chaos and imagination – where outrageous stories are spun, and a world of wonder, memory and mischief unfolds.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
29 Apr. 2026
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The chicest outfits still complement the most outrageous of clichés.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
29 Apr. 2026
Verb
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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
Adjective
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In this best-selling memoir, Foo investigates the repercussions of complex PTSD (C-PTSD) caused by her abusive parents and her subsequent estrangement from each of them in turn.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
28 Apr. 2026
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Someone that was that abusive to children in plain sight doesn’t deserve to be celebrated as a human being.—
Marlow Stern,
Variety,
28 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Myrsiades said Hennessey spotted a white Mercedes SUV linked to a suspect accused of making bomb threats and taunting local law enforcement agencies.—
Madeleine Wright,
CBS News,
22 Apr. 2026
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Then, guards who worked for the contractor Critical Response Strategies began taunting detainees, threatening to enter the cage where immigrants were held.—
Garrett Shanley,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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David smells an opportunity but completely misreads Hale, a vicious and vituperative man who delights in tormenting lesser writers.—
Stuart Miller,
Oc Register,
9 Feb. 2026
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But, in private, Koren could be aggressive and vituperative—a competitive colleague who sought to destroy the reputations and careers of those who crossed him.—
Ben Taub,
New Yorker,
26 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When a referee is missing calls and clearly disrespecting the players, almost mocking them, they must be held accountable.—
Doug Haller,
New York Times,
24 Apr. 2026
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The guard then went to Ada’s table and — according to the girl’s parents — spoke to Ada and her mother aggressively about disrespecting and harassing people.—
Lisa Gutierrez,
Kansas City Star,
26 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Insulting.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insulting. Accessed 1 May. 2026.
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