sassing

1 8.6

Rude talk that you say back to someone

noun
/ˈsæsɪŋ/

Informal

: desfachatez

"I mean, snarling and back-sassing is no way to get along in this world.

We got a bar stool guy, little sass verse Gruen verse Keemstar.

Examples

The teacher warned the students that sassing would not be tolerated in class.
My little brother always gets into trouble for his sassing during family dinners.
My mom got so mad at me sassing her and she told me to leave and I went back to college.
- You quit your sassing, boy.

Redneck Zombies (1987)
No sassing.

Bigfoot Family (2020)
After his sassing comment, she decided to give him a stern look.

Synonyms

mouth

vssassing

Informal

797 8.9

Rude talk that shows disrespect

is the same comeback-focused disrespect rather than general rudeness

lip

vssassing

Informal

164 8.4

Rude talk used to answer a person in charge

is the same impudent comeback style with slightly broader use

slam

vssassing

Offensive

34 6.3

An insulting remark meant to hurt someone

is impudent reply speech often shorter and less aggressive

snark

vssassing

Informal

18 8.6

A clever mocking remark that often sounds rude

is usually a plain impudent comeback rather than witty sarcasm

sass

vssassing

Informal

16 8.7

Rude, cheeky talk to someone in charge

is impudent reply speech used especially as a comeback

barb

vssassing

Offensive

14 6.4

A short sharp remark meant to hurt or criticize someone

is usually a quicker cheeky retort rather than sustained attack

taunting

vssassing

Offensive

7 6.3

Saying things to make someone feel bad or angry

is usually a brief impudent reply rather than sustained provocation

back talk

vssassing

Informal

4 7.2

Rude replies people give to someone in charge

is impudent comeback speech often used specifically against authority

to talking trash

vssassing

Offensive

3 8.1

Say rude or insulting things to make someone feel bad

is a short disrespectful retort rather than extended provocation

sneer

vssassing

Offensive

3 5.6

A remark said to insult someone and show you do not respect them

is usually a short cheeky retort rather than sustained contempt

backtalk

vssassing

Offensive

2 7.7

Rude replies to a person in charge

is the same impudent retort sense used as a comeback

scoffing

vssassing

Offensive

2 7.5

An action that shows you do not respect someone, often by laughing or saying rude things

is specifically a disrespectful comeback rather than general scorn

sassiness

vssassing

Informal

1 5.2

Bold, lively words or actions that can seem rude

is the act of rude comeback speech rather than general boldness

snippy remark

vssassing

1 6.3

A short sharp comment that sounds rude

is a comeback-style retort often sharper and more directed

slagging

vssassing

Offensive

1 8.2

Teasing or insulting someone, often in a friendly way

is more a direct disrespectful comeback than playful teasing

caustic remark

vssassing

Offensive

1 7.2

A harshly critical comment that aims to hurt or mock someone

is a briefer impudent comeback rather than pointed criticism

snideness

vssassing

1 8.1

A mocking way of speaking that shows dislike or disrespect

is specifically impudent comeback speech rather than general sarcasm

saucy remark

vssassing

Informal

6.7

A bold, slightly rude comment that makes people laugh

is the same cheeky reply but focused as a retort

sideswipe

vssassing

Offensive

7.4

A quick indirect remark that criticizes someone

is a direct impudent reply rather than an indirect hit

slagging comment

vssassing

Offensive

8.7

A rude remark that criticizes or insults someone

is often a quick cheeky retort rather than a full attack

contumely

vssassing

Offensive

9.9

Rude words or actions that aim to hurt someone

is typically a cheeky comeback rather than deliberately severe insult

squelch

vssassing

Offensive

8.8

A sharp remark that stops someone speaking and shames them

is more a brief cheeky retort and less about silencing

sharp-edged comment

vssassing

Offensive

6.6

A remark that is harsh and meant to hurt someone's feelings

is a briefer impudent comeback that focuses on disrespect

How Disrespectful

insolence

19 7.2

impudence

8 7.7

insult

Offensive

313 1.3

sassing

Informal

1 8.6

backtalk

Offensive

2 7.7

Surface Forms

sassing singular

sassings plural

Morphology

sassing = sass (transparent) = sass + ing

A regular gerund/participle formation from the verb 'sass' denoting the action or practice of speaking impudently.

Etymology

Sassing comes from sass, a short form probably from sauce, which long ago meant 'rudeness' and also gave us the word saucy. So sassing is easy to remember as 'backtalk' or rude, disrespectful talk.