egregious insult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "egregious insult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an insult that is remarkably bad or offensive, often in a formal or serious context. Example: "His comments during the meeting were nothing short of an egregious insult to the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

By far the most egregious insult directed toward him, the racist movement tamely termed "birtherism," was championed by Trump.

The New Yorker

That double is the latest egregious insult, he was already one over for the day, and now he's +6 for the tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

But what is absolutely plain is that to add India, Brazil, Nigeria, South Africa or Egypt but to exclude Japan would not only constitute an egregious insult to the Japanese but also make a nonsense of the whole exercise.Don't call the whole thing offIn which case, should the exercise be abandoned?

The Economist

A campaign to convert all Muslims is not only a sweeping generalization that all Muslims are evil but also an egregious insult to the millions who believe and follow the message of peace that Islam is based on (front page, May 27).

The New York Times

To most of us outsiders, this power move is an egregious insult and grievous denigration of good women of God.

Huffington Post

The fact that Palin overlooks such an egregious insult, while blaming President Obama for her own troubled son's PTSD, says a lot about her opportunistic impulses.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Before there can be outrage, the offending party must be caught red-handed – preferably on tape – using the worst epithets and most egregious insults.

The Guardian - Opinion

She fully understands that she has just sent the Israeli government an unmistakable message that it can do anything it wants -- including disregarding the unserious hurt pride of Joe Biden and Hillary Clinton after a particularly egregious Israeli insult to the United States -- for there will be no real consequences from the Obama administration, let alone, it goes without saying, from Congress.

Huffington Post

Some of those are thrown in as an apparent concession to the comedic tastes of today's youth, along with some nasty ethnic insult humor and an egregious exercise in family therapy slapped on to make the whole sorry, cynical mess seem wholesome and uplifting.

The New York Times

Will Self's review of Julie Burchill's Unchosen brands it a "repugnant gallimaufry of insults and half-baked nonsense", which insists her enemies are "all pals together" – an egregious error that Self suggests is "wrong, deeply unhelpful and an attitude that, in my view, could lead ultimately to the destruction of Israel".

The Guardian - Books

The way boomers insult millennials as being a bunch of whiny and entitled snowflakes is one of the most egregious forms of mass gaslighting I've ever seen.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "egregious insult", ensure that the context clearly supports the intensity of the phrase. Overusing it can diminish its impact, so reserve it for situations where the insult is truly exceptional in its offensiveness.

Common error

Avoid using "egregious insult" to describe minor offenses or disagreements. This phrase is reserved for severe situations, and its overuse can dilute its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "egregious insult" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "egregious" modifies the noun "insult", intensifying its negative connotation. It describes an insult that is remarkably offensive or bad, as evidenced by Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "egregious insult" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English, denoting a remarkably bad or offensive act. According to Ludwig, its use is most common in news and media contexts. While the phrase is appropriate for formal writing, it should be reserved for situations where the insult is truly exceptional to avoid diluting its impact. Related phrases include "outrageous affront" and "flagrant disrespect", offering alternative ways to express the severity of an insult.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

outrageous affront

Emphasizes the public and openly offensive nature of the insult.

flagrant disrespect

Highlights the blatant and unconcealed nature of the disrespectful act.

shocking offense

Focuses on the surprise and moral violation caused by the insult.

appalling slight

Underscores the disappointing and often unexpected nature of the insult.

grievous offense

Emphasizes the deep hurt and suffering caused by the insult.

blatant humiliation

Highlights the open and obvious attempt to degrade or shame someone.

gross discourtesy

Focuses on the significant lack of politeness and respect.

severe indignity

Emphasizes the insult's effect on one's personal dignity and worth.

unforgivable offense

Stresses the extreme nature of the insult, suggesting it cannot be easily excused.

heinous slight

Highlights the wickedness and reprehensibility of the insult.

FAQs

How can I use "egregious insult" in a sentence?

You can use "egregious insult" to describe a deeply offensive action or statement. For example, "The politician's personal attack was an egregious insult to his opponent's character."

What's the difference between "egregious insult" and "petty slight"?

"Egregious insult" refers to a remarkably bad or offensive act, while "petty slight" denotes a minor offense or trivial insult. The former implies a severe violation of respect, while the latter suggests a minor act of rudeness or disrespect.

What can I say instead of "egregious insult"?

You can use alternatives like "outrageous affront", "flagrant disrespect", or "shocking offense" depending on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is "egregious insult" formal or informal language?

"Egregious insult" is considered formal language. It is best suited for professional settings, academic writing, or news reporting where precise and impactful language is required.