impertinent

Examples

• All

• "You are impertinent," the man almost shouted back.

  Fiction book (1993)

• The child's impertinent behavior at the dinner table shocked the adults present.

• Mind if I ask you an impertinent question?

  Written on the Wind (1956)

• You mind if I ask an impertinent question, with no criticism intended?

  Sweet Smell of Success (1957)

• "Young lady, I'm beginning to find you as impertinent as your friends."

  Fiction book (1994)

• I took a sip of my coffee and said: "I think I was a little impertinent a while ago."

  Fiction book (1997)

• His secretary liked Michael even less than the dean did, calling him impertinent.

  Fiction book (1993)

• "Did you love her?" She had never planned to ask such a bold and impertinent question; the words came out by themselves.

  Fiction book (1998)

• Aren't you being rather impertinent?

  The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937)

• The remark was impertinent but made with such good humor that I too had to laugh.

  Fiction book (1996)

Synonyms

R

rude

vsimpertinent

594 1.0

Not polite or showing little respect for others

is more specifically boldly forward or cheeky rather than general unkindness

S

smart

vsimpertinent

• Offensive

164 6.1

Rude and cheeky in what someone says

is the milder, often playful form of this bold disrespect

W

wise

vsimpertinent

• Informal

149 8.4

Rude and cheeky to someone in authority

is broader, not limited to authority and often more general

D

disrespectful

vsimpertinent

121 3.0

Not polite to someone, for example interrupting them

often adds a playful cheek or bold forwardness rather than simple disrespect

B

blunt

vsimpertinent

100 3.8

Speaking in a direct, plain way that can sound rude

often implies playful or boldly forward disrespect, not only directness

S

sassy

vsimpertinent

• Informal

43 7.2

Being bold and lively in a rude or cheeky way

leans toward plain rudeness or forwardness rather than lively playfulness

B

brazen

vsimpertinent

37 7.3

Showing no shame or respect for rules

often carries lighter cheek or play rather than blatant rule breaking

F

fresh

vsimpertinent

• Offensive

36 7.5

Rude and disrespectful to someone in authority

can be playful or mildly cheeky rather than bluntly forward or rude

B

brash

vsimpertinent

31 6.6

Very confident in a rude, loud way that annoys other people

is usually lighter, more cheeky and less overbearing or noisy

I

insolent

vsimpertinent

22 7.1

Rude and not showing respect to other people

is more often playful or mildly cheeky rather than contemptuous

I

impolite

vsimpertinent

21 2.3

Not showing good manners or respect to other people

often shows playful boldness or cheek rather than simple bad manners

S

saucy

vsimpertinent

• Informal

21 5.8

Being playful and a little rude in a way that teases people

is more often plain disrespect or blunt rudeness rather than playful fun

I

irreverent

vsimpertinent

19 7.2

Not showing respect for people or things most people respect

is more personal rudeness or forwardness rather than criticism of ideas

B

boorish

vsimpertinent

• Offensive

13 8.2

Being rude and not caring about other people's feelings or manners

is more often lively cheekiness or playful disrespect, not coarse insensitivity

I

impudent

vsimpertinent

9 7.9

Someone who shows no respect by acting or speaking boldly

emphasizes playful or occasional forwardness rather than shameless disregard

I

in-your-face

vsimpertinent

• Informal

8 8.4

Very bold and rude in a way that forces people to notice

is more playful or mildly disrespectful, not aggressively confrontational

B

brusque

vsimpertinent

7 7.7

Rude and very short when speaking or acting

is more often intentionally cheeky or boldly disrespectful rather than just abrupt

M

mouthy

vsimpertinent

• Offensive

6 7.9

Talking a lot in a rude or disrespectful way

also covers nonverbal bold behavior and playful forwardness, not only talk

D

discourteous

vsimpertinent

4 5.5

Not polite to other people and showing little respect

is sharper, more boldly forward and cheeky than simple politeness failures

D

dickish

vsimpertinent

• Offensive

4 9.9

Rude and unkind in a way that annoys other people

can be playful cheekiness or forwardness rather than deliberate nastiness

P

pert

vsimpertinent

2 7.1

Lively and a little playful in an attractive way

can be more rude or disrespectful rather than merely lively charm

U

unmannerly

vsimpertinent

1 6.3

Not polite and often rude to others

is more boldly forward and cheeky rather than simply lacking manners

L

lippy

vsimpertinent

• Offensive

1 8.7

Rude or cheeky when talking back to people in charge

includes nonverbal forwardness and playful actions not only talk

O

overbold

vsimpertinent

1 7.0

Too confident in a way that seems rude

can be mildly forward or playful rather than excessively improper

C

contumelious

vsimpertinent

• Offensive

9.9

Being arrogantly rude and openly disrespectful to other people

is milder, often playful cheek rather than aiming to belittle

S

solecistic

vsimpertinent

9.9

Showing bad manners that make others uncomfortable

is bolder and intentionally forward rather than merely tactless or clumsy

Antonyms

R

respectful

150 1.1

Being polite and showing admiration for someone

C

courteous

43 3.7

Polite and respectful when you speak or behave

How Rude

abusive

• NSFW

70 4.9

insolent

22 7.1

impertinent

8 7.2

cheeky

• Informal

33 4.8

Surface Forms

Morphology

Etymology