What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
insulting
Example
It's insulting to suggest that I don't know what I'm doing. [insulting: adjective]
Example
He insulted her by making fun of her appearance. [insulted: verb]
humiliating
Example
She felt humiliated when her boss criticized her in front of her colleagues. [humiliated: verb]
Example
It was a humiliating experience to be fired in front of everyone. [humiliating: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Insulting is more commonly used in everyday language than humiliating. Insulting is a more general term that covers a wide range of situations, while humiliating is more specific and tends to be used in more serious or extreme situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between insulting and humiliating?
Both insulting and humiliating are generally considered informal and impolite. However, humiliating is more likely to be used in formal contexts, such as legal or workplace settings, where it is important to describe the severity of the behavior or experience.