insulting
/ɪnˈsʌltɪŋ/ (bre, ipa) · /ɪnˈsʌltɪŋ/ (ame, ipa) · /in-ˈsəl-tiŋ/ (ame, mw)
insulting — adjective
- insultingpositive
- more insultingcomparative
- most insultingsuperlative
1. describing words, actions, or behavior that show a clear lack of respect and mak
describing words, actions, or behavior that show a clear lack of respect and make someone feel hurt, angry, or embarrassed.
Guo made an insulting remark about his colleague's cooking during the office party.
attributive: insulting + noun
The newspaper review was so insulting that Eva refused to finish reading it.
After fifteen years of experience, Ibrahim found the job offer deeply insulting.
Fatima walked out of the meeting after her manager used an insulting tone with her.
It was insulting to watch the shop assistant hand Grandma Binta only the simplest phone without asking about her needs.
- offensive
broader term; 'offensive' covers anything that causes displeasure, while 'insulting' more specifically implies a personal attack on someone's dignity
- rude
less intense; 'rude' describes impolite behavior that may be unintentional, while 'insulting' suggests a deliberate cruelty
- disrespectful
focuses on lack of respect; 'disrespectful' is slightly softer and can apply to minor slights
- degrading
stronger; implies reducing someone's dignity or self-worth to a humiliating level
- complimentary
expresses praise or admiration rather than offense
- respectful
shows proper regard and consideration
文法句型
insulting + noun
be + insulting
find + noun + insulting
it + be + insulting + to-infinitive
用法筆記
Stronger than 'rude' because it suggests a deliberate attempt to hurt someone. Frequently used both before a noun (an insulting comment) and after linking verbs (That seems insulting). Can also appear in the 'it is insulting to...' pattern with an infinitive clause as the subject.