insolent

[ in-suh-luhnt ]

adjective

1. boldly rude or disrespectful; contemptuously impertinent; insulting:

   an insolent reply.

   Synonyms: contemptuous, brazen

noun

1. an insolent person.

insolent

/ ˈɪnsələnt /

adjective

1. offensive, impudent, or disrespectful

Derived Forms

• ˈinsolently, adverb
• ˈinsolence, noun

Other Words From

• inso·lent·ly adverb
• over·inso·lent adjective
• over·inso·lent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of insolent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Latin insolent- (stem of insolēns ) “departing from custom,” equivalent to in- in- ³ + sol- (stem of solēre “to be accustomed”) + -ent- -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of insolent¹

C14: from Latin insolens, from in- ¹+ solēre to be accustomed

Synonym Study

See impertinent.

Example Sentences

Gil described as “insolent, meddling and rude” comments made by Spanish Defence Minister Margarita Robles.

From BBC

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations of a cover-up, telling reporters these are “absolutely unfounded, insolent accusations about the head of the Russian state.”

From Seattle Times

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations of a cover-up, telling reporters that “these are absolutely unfounded, insolent accusations about the head of the Russian state.”

From Seattle Times

Describing Sandy, Jefferson noted, “He is greatly addicted to drink, and when drunk is insolent and disorderly, in his conversation he swears much, and in his behavior is artful and knavish.”

From Literature

I have this insolent, oppositional child and I get to be liable for that?

From New York Times

Related Words

• disrespectful