What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
insulting
Example
His insulting comments about her appearance made her feel self-conscious. [insulting: adjective]
Example
She felt insulted by his tone of voice and choice of words. [insulted: verb]
offensive
Example
The comedian's jokes were offensive to many members of the audience. [offensive: adjective]
Example
His use of racial slurs was deemed offensive by his coworkers. [offensive: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Offensive is more commonly used than insulting in everyday language. Offensive is a versatile word that can be used to describe a wide range of behaviors or language that is considered inappropriate or harmful, while insulting is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between insulting and offensive?
Both insulting and offensive are generally informal words, but offensive can also be used in formal contexts to describe behavior or language that is harmful or discriminatory.
