highly insulted

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "highly insulted" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong feeling of offense or disrespect in response to someone's words or actions. Example: "After hearing the derogatory comments made about her work, she felt highly insulted and decided to confront her colleagues."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Lagon picks out this passage: An Avar FSB colonel sitting next to us, dead drunk, was highly insulted that we would not allow him to add "cognac" to our wine.

The Guardian

The next morning, the writer drank his disgusting American coffee quietly, without even saying good morning to his wife — he was highly insulted that she had called him a dummy the day before — and after dropping the kids off at school and kindergarten he sat down at his computer and tried to write a story.

The New Yorker

SOME CHESAPEAKE SKEPTICS compare the company to Enron, something that sends the usually affable McClendon into a "highly insulted" rage.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

(It also, rather quaintly, advises visitors not to raise their middle fingers to locals as this could be "highly insulting", and that when eating in the UK "it is usual to use cutlery in order to get food from plate to mouth").It would be nice to think that at some point the world will come to its senses, and porters, waiters and the like will be rewarded for good service with a decent basic wage.

The Economist

The radical, Kuwaiti-born Shia cleric Yasser al-Habib, who incessantly insults highly revered Sunni Muslims, has been tempting trouble for a long time.

Vice

Enrico, an old world guy, a highly traditional sort, would feel insulted.

Huffington Post

As I wrote when I profiled Beard, in 2014, she has also become one of Britain's most visible feminists, confronting trolls on Twitter and failing to crumble in the face of personal and highly misogynistic insults, including, as she puts it, "a load of tweets comparing my genitals to a variety of unpleasantly rotting vegetables".

The New Yorker

The more cases we know about of unemployed people who are highly trained, gainfully occupied and routinely insulted by stupid workfare suggestions, the better.

The Guardian - Opinion

To be offended and insulted is distressing, but nobody should be legally protected against it in a democracy, even on a highly emotional issue such as this.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nachman felt insulted.

The New Yorker

And deeply insulted.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "highly insulted" to express a strong feeling of offense, particularly when emphasizing the degree of disrespect or outrage felt by the individual.

Common error

Avoid using "highly insulted" in casual conversations or informal writing. It can sound overly dramatic or stilted in such contexts. Consider using more relaxed alternatives like "really offended" or "pretty upset".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "highly insulted" functions as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of feeling offended or disrespected. Ludwig confirms that it is correct and usable in written English. Examples show its use to describe a strong negative reaction to perceived slights.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "highly insulted" is a grammatically correct and relatively uncommon expression used to convey a strong feeling of offense or disrespect. According to Ludwig, it is suitable for use in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, including news media, scientific literature, and general writing. While alternatives like "deeply offended" or "greatly aggrieved" may offer nuanced variations in meaning, "highly insulted" effectively communicates a significant emotional response to a perceived slight. When writing, be mindful of the context to ensure the phrase aligns with the desired tone and level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deeply offended

Emphasizes the depth of the offense taken. Highlights the emotional impact of the insult, suggesting a more profound hurt.

very offended

A more direct and simpler way of expressing a similar sentiment. Lacks the intensity of "highly insulted".

extremely indignant

Emphasizes the righteous anger and sense of injustice felt. Suggests a strong moral objection to the insult.

thoroughly outraged

Indicates a state of intense anger and shock. Suggests the insult was particularly egregious or unacceptable.

seriously disrespected

Highlights the lack of regard or consideration shown. Focuses on the violation of social norms or expectations of courtesy.

greatly aggrieved

Focuses on the sense of injustice or unfair treatment experienced. Suggests a formal or serious context.

acutely affronted

Focuses on the feeling of having one's dignity or pride slighted. Suggests a personal insult targeting one's self-worth.

bitterly resentful

Highlights the negative emotions of bitterness and long-lasting anger caused by the perceived insult.

profoundly humiliated

Emphasizes the feeling of being publicly embarrassed or shamed. Focuses on the damage to one's reputation or social standing.

genuinely displeased

Indicates a lack of satisfaction and a mild level of offense. It's more understated than "highly insulted".

FAQs

What does "highly insulted" mean?

"Highly insulted" means to feel a strong sense of offense or disrespect as a result of someone's words or actions. It suggests a significant emotional reaction to a perceived slight.

What are some synonyms for "highly insulted"?

Alternatives to "highly insulted" include "deeply offended", "greatly aggrieved", or "extremely indignant" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How to use "highly insulted" in a sentence?

You can say, "The customer was "highly insulted" by the rude remark from the salesperson" or "She felt "highly insulted" when her contributions were dismissed during the meeting."

Is it more appropriate to say "highly insulted" or "deeply offended"?

Both "highly insulted" and "deeply offended" are acceptable, but "highly insulted" emphasizes the perceived act of disrespect, while "deeply offended" emphasizes the emotional impact. The best choice depends on the specific context.