Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Kendall Jenner know all too well – body shaming doesn’t care if you’re thin, curvy, or somewhere between. Those hurtful comments about being too thin or underweight can really sting.
But with a dash of humor, some well-placed confidence, and the right comeback, you can turn those insults into thin air.
Table of Contents
27 ways to shut down skinny shaming
1. “So, are you always this focused on other people’s bodies, or am I special today?”
2. “Guess I’m living rent-free in your head, huh? Must be a pretty empty space.”
3. “So, your way of flirting is to insult me? How’s that working out for you?”
4. “I’m starting to think your real hobby is body commentary. Kinda weird, but you do you.”
5. “Eyes glaze over ‘Uh huh… so anyway, did you see the game last night?'”
6. “I’d take some fashion tips from you, but that outfit says it all.”
7. “Wow, rude much? Should I call you an ambulance for that foot you just put in your mouth?”
8. “Thanks for the free entertainment! I haven’t laughed this hard in ages.”
9. “I bet you find this way more interesting than I do. Tell me something about yourself instead.”
10. “Eyes glaze over ‘Uh huh… so anyway, did you see the game last night?'”
11. “I’d think of a witty comeback, but I really have better things to do with my time.”
12. “I wasn’t aware I needed your approval on my body. Thanks anyway.”
13. “You seem really concerned about my weight. Is everything okay at home?”
14. “Maybe you wouldn’t notice my body if you were more focused on your own.”
15. “You know, they say judging people makes you an ugly person inside.”
16. “You know, they make mirrors. You might want to check one out sometime.”
17. “Interesting that you’re fixated on my weight. Says more about you than it does about me.”
18. “I’m comfortable the way I am. Are you?”
19. “Is there a point to this, or do you just enjoy being unkind?”
20. “Thanks for the concern, but honestly, I’m rocking this look.”
21. “My body doesn’t exist to please your eyes.”
22. “Thanks for sharing, but I think I’ll stick to this look. It seems to drive you crazy, and I like that.”
23. “I love my body, and your disapproval doesn’t change a thing.”
24. “My doctor says I’m perfectly healthy. Maybe you should give yours a call…”
25. “Bless your heart, you sound worried. Is there something I can help you with?”
26. “Wow, you seem upset by my appearance. Should I get you a glass of water?”
27. “Oh dear, you seem fixated on my body. Should I help you find a therapist?”
Humorous/Sarcastic
1. “So, are you always this focused on other people’s bodies, or am I special today?”
Why It Works: This comeback playfully highlights the commenter’s strange obsession with your appearance. It suggests they might have too much time on their hands.
Best For: Casual insults or prying comments from strangers or acquaintances.
2. “Guess I’m living rent-free in your head, huh? Must be a pretty empty space.”
Why It Works: This comeback points out how fixated the person is on your body. The sarcasm makes it a satisfying way to deflect negativity.
Best For: When you want to expose how ridiculous the body-shamer sounds.
3. “So, your way of flirting is to insult me? How’s that working out for you?”
Why It Works: Flips the script! It reframes their insult as a misguided attempt at getting your attention, which shifts the power dynamic.
Best For: Situations where the skinny-shaming comment might be rooted in an (incredibly awkward) attempt at flirting.
4. “I’m starting to think your real hobby is body commentary. Kinda weird, but you do you.”
Why It Works: This calls out their behavior with a hint of mockery. The dismissive ending helps you shut down the conversation quickly.
Best For: Someone repeatedly fixating on your weight, or anyone trying to bait you into an argument.
5. “Thanks for the free entertainment! I haven’t laughed this hard in ages.”
Why It Works: This comeback reframes hurtful comments as absurdly funny. It shows that body shaming has zero power to upset you.
Best For: When you want to completely disarm a body-shamer, showing their words have no effect on your confidence.
6. “I’d take some fashion tips from you, but that outfit says it all.”
Why it works: This response works as a humorous, indirect way of critiquing someone’s fashion sense without directly insulting them. It uses sarcasm to make a point.
Best for: This is best used in a context where both parties understand and appreciate sarcasm and can take a joke. It’s especially effective among friends or colleagues who have a rapport that includes playful teasing.
7. “Wow, rude much? Should I call you an ambulance for that foot you just put in your mouth?”
Why it works: This comeback acknowledges the rudeness of the initial comment in a witty and sarcastic manner, suggesting that the speaker has made a significant social faux pas.
Best for: It’s suitable for situations where you want to call out someone’s rudeness without escalating the situation. This response is best used when you’re confident and wish to stand up for yourself or others in a lighthearted way.
8. “Thanks for the free entertainment! I haven’t laughed this hard in ages.”
Why it works: This response deflects the negativity or rudeness of the initial comment by suggesting that it was so absurd it was entertaining. It shows that you’re unaffected by the attempted insult.
Best for: This is great for diffusing a potentially tense situation and showing you have a thick skin. It’s particularly effective in public settings or social gatherings where maintaining a positive atmosphere is important.
Dismissive
1. “I bet you find this way more interesting than I do. Tell me something about yourself instead.”
Why It Works: This shifts the focus away from your body and back onto the commenter. It highlights their unhealthy interest in your appearance while subtly calling them out.
Best For: When you want to subtly expose the commenter’s nosiness and turn the tables on the conversation.
2. Eyes glaze over “Uh huh… so anyway, did you see the game last night?”
Why It Works: This visually demonstrates how you’re dismissing the comment. The topic change signals you couldn’t care less about their opinion.
Best For: Repetitive body shaming, or someone who enjoys hearing themselves talk.
3. “I’d think of a witty comeback, but I really have better things to do with my time.”
Why It Works: This conveys that their comment is so insignificant, it’s not worth your energy. It hints that you could easily outsmart them if you wanted to, but choose not to.
Best For: When you want to project an air of effortless superiority and get the last word in.
4. “I wasn’t aware I needed your approval on my body. Thanks anyway.”
Why It Works: This snarky comeback highlights how absurd it is for someone to assume you need their validation. It mocks their self-importance.
Best for: Rude comments from people you know slightly, where a hint of sarcasm helps disarm the situation.
Confrontational
1. “You seem really concerned about my weight. Is everything okay at home?”
Why It Works: This comeback throws the focus back on the commenter, suggesting their preoccupation with your body might stem from their own issues.
Best For: When you suspect the skinny-shaming stems from the commenter’s own insecurities.
2. “Maybe you wouldn’t notice my body if you were more focused on your own.”
Why It Works: This directly challenges the commenter’s unhealthy fixation on your appearance. It calls attention to their inappropriate behavior.
Best For: Shutting down rude comments or unwanted attention from acquaintances.
3. “You know, they say judging people makes you an ugly person inside.”
Why It Works: This delivers a moral punch. It contrasts outward appearances with inner qualities, forcing the body-shamer to reflect on their own unkindness.
Best For: Situations where you want to take a higher ground and highlight the negativity inherent in body shaming.
4. “You know, they make mirrors. You might want to check one out sometime.”
Why it Works: This classic comeback is short and sharp. It suggests the commenter needs to be more self-aware before criticizing others.
Best For: Delivering a quick and pointed jab to someone who deserves to be taken down a notch.
5. “Interesting that you’re fixated on my weight. Says more about you than it does about me.”
Why It Works: This highlights how the commenter’s focus on your body reveals more about their character than yours.
Best For: Confronting persistent body shaming and forcing the person to consider their own motives.
6. “I’m comfortable the way I am. Are you?”
Why It Works: This shifts the focus to your self-acceptance and subtly questions the commenter’s own confidence.
Best For: Situations where you primarily want to project self-love and deflect negativity.
7. “Is there a point to this, or do you just enjoy being unkind?”
Why It Works: Calls out the cruel intention behind the body shaming, putting the commenter on the spot.
Best For: When you want to shut down a bully or make someone think twice before repeating this behavior.
Body Positive
1. “Thanks for the concern, but honestly, I’m rocking this look.”
Why It Works: This confidently dismisses the comment while celebrating your own style. The sarcasm subtly undermines their attempted criticism.
Best For: Casual insults or backhanded compliments. Works well when you’re feeling bold and want to shut negativity down.
2. “My body doesn’t exist to please your eyes.”
Why It Works: This comeback asserts your bodily autonomy. It reminds the commenter that your appearance isn’t up for debate or subject to their approval.
Best For: Confronting rude remarks, especially those implying you should dress or look differently to appease others.
3. “Thanks for sharing, but I think I’ll stick to this look. It seems to drive you crazy, and I like that.”
Why It Works: This reframes their criticism as a sign of your power. The hint of playfulness suggests you’re unbothered by their negativity.
Best For: Dealing with someone who repeatedly comments on your weight. It shows their words have no power to make you change.
4. “I love my body, and your disapproval doesn’t change a thing.”
Why It Works: This straightforward comeback is all about self-love. It communicates that your opinion of yourself is the only one that matters.
Best For: Situations where you want to project unwavering confidence and defeat body-shaming with positivity.
Empathetic (with a twist)
1. “My doctor says I’m perfectly healthy. Maybe you should give yours a call…”
Why It Works: This throws the focus back on the commenter’s strange preoccupation with your health. The subtle suggestion they seek help adds an ironic twist.
Best For: Shutting down unsolicited “concern” about your weight, especially from people you don’t know well.
2. “Bless your heart, you sound worried. Is there something I can help you with?”
Why It Works: This faux-concern mirrors their own, highlighting how inappropriate their comment is. Works well with a touch of exaggerated sweetness.
Best For: Dealing with backhanded compliments or those disguised as worry from people you know slightly (family, acquaintances).
3. “Wow, you seem upset by my appearance. Should I get you a glass of water?”
Why It Works: This reframes their negative focus as a personal issue they need to deal with. Offering “help” subtly mocks their overreaction.
Best For: When the skinny-shaming seems to stem from an emotional place rather than outright malice.
4. “Oh dear, you seem fixated on my body. Should I help you find a therapist?”
Why It Works: While pretending to be worried, this directly addresses their unhealthy obsession. Counseling suggests that their problems are more complex than how you appear.
Best For: Someone persistently body-shaming you. The seriousness of the offer might make them rethink their behavior.
Wrapping Up
These 27 comebacks are strong responses to skinny shaming that use humor, sarcasm, and body positivity to give people the confidence to deal with and ignore unwanted comments about their looks.
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