ENGLISH
REFERENCE

insulting

v.
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˌɪnˈsəɫtɪŋ// UK //ɪnsˈʌltɪŋ// in·sult·ing

v. rude or disrespectful in a way that is meant to hurt someone's feelings.

v. expressing or containing a lack of respect; intended to cause offense or wound the pride of another.


SIMPLE

He made an insulting comment about her work.

CONTEXTUAL

The customer was asked to leave the store after using insulting language toward the staff.

COMPLEX

While the critique was intended to be constructive, the harshness of the delivery felt deeply insulting to the young artist who had spent months on the project.

Synonyms
Usage

Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun or as a predicative adjective after a linking verb.

Pitfall

He was very insulted to meHe was very insulting to meLearners confuse the active adjective 'insulting' (causing offense) with the passive participle 'insulted' (feeling offended).

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