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insult

in·sult

insult

 
 
parts of speech:
transitive verb, noun
features:
Word Combinations (verb, noun), Word History, Word Explorer
part of speech: transitive verb
pronunciation: ihn suhlt
inflections: insults, insulting, insulted
definition 1: to offend by speaking to or treating rudely or contemptuously.
They insulted us with their snide comments about our home.
synonyms:
affront, cut
antonyms:
adulate, compliment, flatter
similar words:
abuse, deride, dishonor, disparage, humiliate, jeer at, offend, put down, slight, slur, snub, taunt
definition 2: to show a lack of respect for.
The play insulted their sense of propriety.
synonyms:
offend
antonyms:
honor
similar words:
affront, assail, disgust, transgress, violate
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part of speech: noun
pronunciation: In suhlt
definition 1: an attack or offensive remark or behavior, or something that has the effect of such a remark or behavior.
The two sides hurled insults at each other.She viewed the question as an insult to her intelligence.Their refusal to accept his gift was an insult that he could not forgive.
synonyms:
affront, barb, contumely, indignity
antonyms:
compliment
similar words:
aspersion, calumny, cut, dig, gibe, impertinence, insolence, invective, jeer, offense, profanity, put-down, rub, slight, slur, snub, wound
definition 2: in medicine, a trauma or injury.
The patient suffered an insult to the right side of his brain.
synonyms:
injury, trauma
similar words:
wound
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derivations: insultingly (adv.), insulter (n.)
Word History
Insult comes from a Latin word that means "to leap at" or leap upon." By the 1600s, it had come to mean "to treat with scorn and abuse." Today, an insult is an assault that uses words, not the body.
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