Would you consider the term "trophy wife" descriptive or insulting?

Insulting

Insulting unless said by my spouse ‘tongue in cheek’. To me the term is based on looks alone which is demeaning.

Surprised you ask. I have never (in my 70 years) heard it used as anything other than condescending, demeaning and objectifying of women.

An interesting question. I guess it would depend on the situation. If a 60 year old guy marries a 25 year old, highly attractive woman, I’d say it’s descriptive. It is doubtful she married him for his personality. It would be more likely that it was for his money. So he won the prize…the woman that wanted to go for the money. She’s the trophy. I can’t see this as insulting because it is obviously something she was looking for.

If two people of approximately the same age and social status gets married and the guy is pug-ugly and the woman is beautiful, saying she’s a trophy wife would be a joke at best, but more likely insulting.

It is both. And face it, that is what Melania is.

Even the dictionary terms it derogatory.

I dont generally comment on the relationship between husband and wife, especially since I can’t find video footage. He’s generally been very flattering to her and perhaps in his generation it was considered a compliment.
I remember my grandfatgerbragging on my grandmother never weighing more than 120lbs even pregnant. Perhaps its just an old school compliment?

To me the term is based on looks alone which is demeaning.

Not just on looks, but also regarding their intelligence and abilities to accomplish anything well beyond sex.

Regardless of their looks, I always refer to my friends wives as “your trophy wife”.
And they all love it.

I had a boss, 20 plus years ago, with a “trophy wife” . . . knock-out looks, when you heard her talk, with a “squeaky voice” and vocabulary of a 4th grader . . . . !

She was his third wife in 10 years.

I think the sentiment, is expressed in many ways.
It’s more than just the term “trophy wife.”
The phrase is just a symptom, of a disease in society.

There are a lot of derogatory phrases, for a wife. “The ‘ol ball n chain.” “My old lady.”

Insulting.