insolent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lənt How to pronounce insolent (audio)
Definition of insolentnext
as in impudent
displaying or marked by rude boldness an appallingly insolent reply to a reasonable request

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

insolent

2 of 2

noun

as in nuisance

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective insolent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of insolent are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When could arrogant be used to replace insolent?

The synonyms arrogant and insolent are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When can disdainful be used instead of insolent?

The words disdainful and insolent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When might haughty be a better fit than insolent?

While the synonyms haughty and insolent are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When is lordly a more appropriate choice than insolent?

While in some cases nearly identical to insolent, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

In what contexts can overbearing take the place of insolent?

The meanings of overbearing and insolent largely overlap; however, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

Where would proud be a reasonable alternative to insolent?

The words proud and insolent can be used in similar contexts, but proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When would supercilious be a good substitute for insolent?

Although the words supercilious and insolent have much in common, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of insolent
Adjective
Her subversive and dominating personality, and sometimes insolent rhetoric in her active X presence set her apart from the likes of other female AI chatbots, such as Siri whose aim is to assist and serve. — Fatemeh Fannizadeh, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Bullock’s John Hotham is forced to manage an uprising of rogue military personal and armed insurgents on a semi-fictional January 6, 2025 that makes the real-life January 6, 2021 seem like insolent child’s play. — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 June 2024 Over the last two decades, Chinese relations with North Korea have deteriorated drastically behind the scenes, as China has tired of North Korea’s insolent behavior and reassessed its own interests on the peninsula. — Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017 This chicanery makes Leave the World Behind the most insolent executive-office musing ever committed to film — a full-out assault on the nation’s people. — Armond White, National Review, 10 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for insolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insolent
  1. impudent
  2. nuisance
  3. wise
  4. imbecile
  5. brazen
  6. brat
  7. cocky
  8. bold
Adjective
  • One chord appears to speak to the other, sounding almost impudent in their simplicity, equal parts ecstatic and heartbreakingly melancholic.
    — Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2025
  • In short, Moscow sees Montenegro as both strategically valuable and an impudent upstart that has thumbed its nose at the Russian bear while genuflecting before NATO and Washington.
    — Edward P. Joseph, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2016
Definition of impudent
Noun
  • On April 30th, 2022, a security guard at a local business plaza called the police to report Mary as a nuisance.
    — Sarah Stillman, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
  • Protester Trenton Oldfield swam in front of both boats and was jailed for six months for causing a public nuisance.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2025
Definition of nuisance
Adjective
  • Word to the wise: the end credits are more like a Marvel movie as they are interrupted by a longish extra scene that includes a special cast member, blues legend Buddy Guy, plus yet another musical number at the end of credits.
    — Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Getting another running back on Day 3 is a wise move, and getting Deion Sanders into the Cowboys’ stratosphere at No. 239 will certainly make Jerry Jones smile.
    — Saad Yousuf, New York Times, 8 Apr. 2025
Definition of wise
Noun
  • Evil is insolent and strong; beauty enchanting but rare; goodness very apt to be weak; folly very apt to be defiant; wickedness to carry the day; imbeciles to be in great places, people of sense in small, and mankind generally unhappy.
    — Sam Sacks, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2016
  • Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government.
    — Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2016
Definition of imbecile
Adjective
  • Again, an astute grader would undoubtedly catch your brazen attempt and ding you points accordingly.
    — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The boisterous comedian lights up the stage with sly wit and brazen confidence, conveying Moss’ righteous fury over being bottom of the office food chain.
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Definition of brazen
Noun
  • Stunning stat: The new kiosks could speed up checkout for ballpark essentials — brats, fries, cheese curds and drinks — by as much as 40%, Delaware North manager Pete Spike told Axios.
    — Kyle Stokes, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025
  • Trachtenberg, whose death at 39 was announced on February 26, spent much of her career playing the most likable version of a precocious brat, a know-it-all who gets away with just about everything thanks to her doe eyes and charisma.
    — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 26 Feb. 2025
Definition of brat
Adjective
  • Isa Briones, who plays the cocky intern Dr. Trinity Santos, remembers Wyle’s note as a kind of challenge.
    — Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Reprising the role of the cocky Naval aviator required the bravery of a real fighter pilot.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025
Definition of cocky
Adjective
  • Also, the Fed must be free to move quickly to deploy bold strategies, such as its bond-buying campaign during the 2008 financial crisis and emergency lending measures during the COVID-19 recession of 2020, Conti-Brown said.
    — Paul Davidson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
  • From bold predictions about who's walking out with championship gold to sit-downs with WWE superstars on the verge of history, this preshow is serving as your all-access pass into the chaos, glory, and drama that makes WrestleMania the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment.
    — Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
Definition of bold

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Cite this Entry

“Insolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insolent. Accessed 26 Apr. 2025.

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