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impertinence

impertinence

7 8.1
Rude behavior or remarks that show a lack of respect
  • noun
  • /ɪmˈpɜːrtənəns/
translation icon : impertinencia
  • His impertinence during the meeting shocked everyone in the room.

So this is viewed as a kind of impertinence by both of these Wizards.

Examples

  • "Anne's face shone with innocent worship, then blushed for her impertinence in making such a personal remark."

    Fiction book (1991)
  • You are truly the height of impertinence!

    Fiction book (1998)
  • But your impertinence is getting a little out of hand.

  • In my country, I allow no such impertinence.

  • Your impertinence indeed goes beyond all borders.

  • I can't get over the impertinence of that young lieutenant.

  • Something was going to have to be done about the butler's impertinence.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • I know, I should not tolerate his impertinence.

    Fiction book (1992)
  • Her spine stiffened as she recalled his previous impertinence on this very topic.

    Blog text (22)
  • She is a wonderful estate manager, a dear friend, but prone to bouts of extreme impertinence.

Synonyms

disrespect
vsimpertinence
133 3.4

Rude behavior or words that show a lack of respect for someone

is often cheeky but not always directly hostile or insulting
cheek
vsimpertinence
  • Informal
125 6.1

Rude talk or behaviour that shows no respect

can be harsher or more openly disrespectful than playful tone
rudeness
vsimpertinence
27 1.8

Lack of politeness or respect for other people

is often cheeky and daring rather than plain discourtesy
gall
vsimpertinence
24 8.1

Rude boldness that shows no shame

is more often cheeky and familiar rather than brazenly shameless
insolence
vsimpertinence
19 7.2

Rude behavior or speech toward someone in authority

is more general and can target anyone not only authority figures
impropriety
vsimpertinence
  • Formal
19 8.1

An action or remark that is not socially acceptable

is usually less about indecency and more about cheeky disrespect
bad manners
vsimpertinence
12 1.6

Rude behavior that breaks normal social rules

often implies cheeky, disrespectful attitude not just poor etiquette
impudence
vsimpertinence
8 7.7

Rude behaviour that shows no respect for other people

is sometimes cheeky or playful rather than purely disrespectful
incivility
vsimpertinence
5 7.9

Rude behavior that shows no politeness

is more lightly cheeky and informal than deliberate impoliteness
effrontery
vsimpertinence
  • Formal
3 9.2

Rude shameless behavior that shocks other people

is often milder and more cheeky rather than deeply offensive
douchebaggery
vsimpertinence
  • Offensive
2 9.9

Very rude and hurtful behavior by someone who acts too proud and thinks they are better than others

is less about moral contempt and more about cheeky disrespect
discourtesy
vsimpertinence
2 5.5

Rude actions that show no respect for other people

is more cheeky and daring than ordinary lack of politeness
impoliteness
vsimpertinence
1 4.1

Rude or disrespectful behavior toward other people

can be more cheeky and informal rather than mere rudeness
indelicacy
vsimpertinence
  • Formal
1 8.1

Words or actions that are rude and hurt other people's feelings

is more about bold cheeky manners than simple lack of sensitivity
freshness
vsimpertinence
  • Informal
1 7.2

Rude talk or behaviour that shows no respect

is more disrespectful and less playful in tone
disrespectfulness
vsimpertinence
1 4.5

A way of behaving that shows no respect for someone or something

is more about cheeky words than formal disrespect
cheekiness
vsimpertinence
  • Informal
1 5.8

A bold, slightly rude way of speaking or acting that is playful and shows little respect

is similar but can be more openly rude or challenging
sauciness
vsimpertinence
  • Informal
1 7.0

Bold playful behaviour that is a little rude

tends to be more openly rude rather than merely playful
curtness
vsimpertinence
1 7.0

A short, rude way of speaking that sounds unfriendly

is usually more about bold tone than simply being brief
pertness
vsimpertinence
  • Informal
8.2

A lively, confident way of speaking or behaving that is slightly cheeky

is often ruder and less about energetic, confident tone
archness
vsimpertinence
9.1

Playful, slightly cheeky teasing that makes people smile

leans more toward straightforward disrespect than playful teasing
unmannerly remark
vsimpertinence
6.8

A rude comment that shows no respect for other people

is often bolder and more cheeky than a plain rude comment
unmannerly behavior
vsimpertinence
5.8

Rude actions that show a lack of politeness

is frequently more boldly disrespectful than merely bad etiquette
ungraciousness
vsimpertinence
8.1

Being rude and not polite to other people

often shows cheeky or disrespectful tone beyond mere unfriendliness
indecorum
vsimpertinence
  • Formal
9.9

Bad behaviour that breaks common polite rules

is more directly rude or cheeky than this broad idea of poor manners
unseemliness
vsimpertinence
8.6

A way someone acts or looks that seems not proper in public

focuses more on direct disrespect and cheeky speech rather than propriety

Antonyms

Polite and kind behavior toward other people's feelings and wishes

How Rude

insolence
19 7.2
impertinence
7 8.1
discourtesy
2 5.5

Surface Forms

impertinence singular
impertinences plural

Morphology

impertinence = impertinent (opaque) = im + pertinent + ence

The noun is a regular abstract-noun formation from the adjective 'impertinent' using -ence.

Etymology

Impertinence comes from the parts im- ('not') and pertinent (from a root meaning 'to relate' or 'be relevant'). So, someone showing impertinence speaks or acts as if their words do not 'belong' or are out of place, which is why the word now means rude or disrespectful behavior.