gross insult

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gross insult" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a remark or action that is extremely offensive or disrespectful. Example: "His comments during the meeting were nothing short of a gross insult to her professionalism."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

14 human-written examples

"Spastic" is now considered a gross insult.

The Guardian

("Those who know her books, and love them, feel this neglect as a gross insult," he says.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It condemned the saints as "evil-doing sinners" and said their canonisation was a "gross insult to the Chinese people's patriotic resistance against foreign aggression and oppression".

The Economist

Throwing a shoe at someone is a gross insult in Arab countries, and Mr. Bush is widely unpopular in much of the region.

The New York Times

It is a gross insult to the many thousands of Germans who opposed the Nazis actively to hold them reponsible for the concentration camps.

The Guardian

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, an influential power broker, deemed the ruling a "gross insult", saying that efforts to unite the country could not be "founded on an imposed amnesia about our apartheid past".

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

When will she become furious over the gross insults that she is subjected to, and which aim at erasing her daily, in all fields?

The Guardian - Books

Instead they race to the next joke and the one after that, busily tossing one-liners, surreal asides, cheap and gross insults, false apologies for such insults, semi-naked ladies, sex toys and multisyllabic expletives like confetti.

The New York Times

There are guns, drugs, several references to sex acts involving urine, and gross insults — unless they are extravagant compliments; I'll get back to you — to the respected profession of dentistry.

The New York Times

The abuse of the boys is not only physical but possibly also sexual: "Strange that a frame so weak could bear so long / The grossest insult and the foulest wrong".

The New Yorker

Crude insult or satire.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gross insult", ensure the context clearly warrants such a strong term; reserve it for situations where the offense is genuinely severe and intentional.

Common error

Avoid using "gross insult" in contexts where the offense is minor or unintentional. Overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gross insult" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It identifies something tangible or abstract that is considered extremely offensive. Ludwig AI indicates that it's usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gross insult" is a commonly used and grammatically sound expression denoting extreme offensiveness. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's usable in various contexts, predominantly within News & Media, and carries a neutral to formal tone. While several alternatives exist to refine or alter the emphasis, it's crucial to reserve the phrase for instances where the offense is truly significant. Overusing it dilutes its impact and undermines its intended severity. Keep in mind that overusing it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem hyperbolic.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe affront

Replaces "gross insult" with more formal and less common synonyms; "affront" suggests a deliberate offense.

egregious offense

"Egregious offense" emphasizes the shocking and blatant nature of the insult, heightening the sense of outrage.

outrageous disrespect

Highlights the lack of respect, replacing "insult" with a more descriptive term and "gross" with "outrageous".

blatant disrespect

Similar to "outrageous disrespect" but with a stronger focus on the obvious and unconcealed nature of the disrespect.

profound indignity

Shifts the focus to the deep sense of humiliation and offense caused by the action or statement.

deeply offensive remark

More descriptive, explicitly stating that the insult is a remark and emphasizing its offensive nature.

palpable offense

"Palpable" emphasizes the clear and easily perceived nature of the offense.

terrible outrage

Focuses on the intense anger and shock caused by the insult, replacing "gross" with "terrible" for emphasis.

flagrant violation of decency

Emphasizes the violation of acceptable standards of behavior, moving away from the direct act of insulting.

major indiscretion

Understates the severity, suggesting a lack of good judgment rather than a deliberate insult, providing a more subtle alternative.

FAQs

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

You can use "gross insult" to describe something that is extremely offensive or disrespectful. For example, "His remarks were a "gross insult" to her intelligence".

What's a more formal way to say "gross insult"?

More formal alternatives to "gross insult" include "severe affront" or "egregious offense", which carry a similar connotation of extreme offensiveness.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "gross insult"?

The phrase "gross insult" is appropriate when describing actions or statements that are intentionally and deeply offensive, causing significant disrespect or humiliation. It should be reserved for situations where the offense is clearly severe.

What is the difference between "gross insult" and "minor offense"?

"Gross insult" implies a severe and intentional act of disrespect, while "minor offense" suggests a less serious and possibly unintentional transgression. The former warrants strong condemnation, while the latter may only require a simple apology.