insultar
verbUpper-intermediate
What does “insultar” mean in English?
to insult, to abuse verbally
to insult, to abuse verbally (insultar a alguien — say something offensive or disrespectful to someone)
Example sentences
El árbitro expulsó al jugador por insultar a un rival durante el segundo tiempo del partido.
The referee sent the player off for insulting a rival during the second half of the match.
Es inaceptable que los políticos se insulten en el parlamento en lugar de debatir con argumentos.
It is unacceptable for politicians to insult each other in parliament instead of arguing with reason.
Los comentarios del presentador fueron percibidos como un insulto a toda la comunidad afectada.
The presenter's comments were perceived as an insult to the entire affected community.
How to use it
Insultar means 'to insult' or 'to abuse verbally'. Structure: insultar a alguien (insult someone — personal a obligatory). The noun is el insulto. At B2, it appears in interpersonal, sporting, and political contexts. Related: insultante (insulting — adjective). Don't confuse with ofender (offend — cause hurt feelings, often unintentionally) or humillar (humiliate — more severe, degrading). Insultar implies a deliberate, overt verbal attack.
Common mistake
Insultar (deliberately say something offensive/abusive) vs. ofender (offend — cause hurt, possibly unintentionally). 'Te insulté' (I insulted you — deliberate verbal attack); 'te ofendí sin querer' (I offended you unintentionally). At B2, this distinction between intentional aggression and unintentional hurt is important for nuanced social discourse.
Topics
Related Upper-intermediate words
Reference
This entry’s teaching guidance follows Plan Curricular del Instituto Cervantes (Instituto Cervantes), B2 Funciones 6.46.