Meaning & Definition of word "Insulting"

Insulting

ɪnˈsʌltɪŋ

verb:

  • 1. present participle of insult; to speak to or treat with disrespect or rudeness.
    • Example: By insulting his intelligence, she drove him to defend himself fiercely.

adjective:

  • 1. causing offense or hurt due to disrespectful or disparaging remarks.
    • Example: His insulting comments during the meeting made several colleagues uncomfortable.
  • 2. derogatory; belittling.
    • Example: She found the article's insulting tone towards women to be particularly offensive.
  • 3. rude or disrespectful.
    • Example: It was insulting for him to interrupt her speech with such a dismissive gesture.

Etymology

from Latin insultare, meaning 'to leap upon, attack.'

Common Phrases and Expressions

an insulting joke:

a joke that offends someone

insulting someone to their face:

openly expressing disdain or contempt towards someone

insulting authority:

showing disrespect or contempt for those in power

Related Words

insult:

a disrespectful or scornfully abusive remark

offend:

to cause displeasure or resentment

mock:

to ridicule or make fun of someone

Slang Meanings of insulting

Meaning: throwing shade

Example Sentence: When she said that dress looked 'interesting,' she was really throwing shade.

Meaning: diss

Example Sentence: He totally dissed me at the party with that comment.