Insulting, a.
Containing, or characterized by, insult or abuse; tending to insult or affront; as, insulting language, treatment, etc. -- In*sult"ing*ly, adv.
Syn. -- Insolent; impertinent; saucy; rude; abusive; contemptuous. See Insolent.
Shades of meaning
Fernald lists insulting only as an antonym, under polite.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.
Synonyms
none given