Insult

An insult is a phrase or an act intended to affront or demean someone. Insults may be categorized as follows:

• Insult to intelligence
• Insult to education
• Insult to natural appearance
• Insult to behavior

Profanity is frequently used as part of insults to strengthen their emotional impact.

The concept of fighting words has a definition in American Constitutional law. See terms of disparagement.