What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
insult
Example
I felt insulted when he called me stupid. [insulted: past participle]
Example
She hurled insults at him during their argument. [insults: noun]
humiliate
Example
He humiliated her by making fun of her clothes in front of everyone. [humiliated: past tense]
Example
The coach's harsh criticism was meant to humiliate the players. [humiliate: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Insult is more commonly used than humiliate in everyday language. Insult is a more general term that covers a wide range of situations, while humiliate is a stronger and more specific word that is used less frequently.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between insult and humiliate?
Both insult and humiliate are negative words that are generally considered informal and impolite. However, humiliate is a stronger and more formal word that is often used in more serious or professional contexts, such as legal or workplace situations.