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View synonyms for impertinent

impertinent

[ im-pur-tn-uhnt ]

adjective

  1. intrusive or presumptuous, as persons or their actions; insolently rude; uncivil:

    a brash, impertinent youth.

    Synonyms: brazen, pert, saucy, officious, insulting, bold, fresh

    Antonyms: polite

  2. not pertinent or relevant; irrelevant:

    an impertinent detail.

  3. Archaic. inappropriate, incongruous, or absurd.
  4. Obsolete. (of persons) trivial, silly, or absurd.


impertinent

/ ɪmˈpɜːtɪnənt /

adjective

  1. rude; insolent; impudent
  2. irrelevant or inappropriate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Derived Forms

  • imˈpertinently, adverb
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Other Words From

  • im·perti·nent·ly adverb
  • im·perti·nent·ness noun
  • unim·perti·nent adjective
  • unim·perti·nent·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impertinent1

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Late Latin impertinent- (stem of impertinēns ) “not belonging.” See im- 2, pertinent
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Word History and Origins

Origin of impertinent1

C14: from Latin impertinēns not belonging, from Latin im- (not) + pertinēre to be relevant; see pertain
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Synonym Study

Impertinent, impudent, insolent refer to bold, rude, and arrogant behavior. Impertinent, from its primary meaning of not pertinent and hence inappropriate or out of place, has come to imply often an unseemly intrusion into what does not concern one, or a presumptuous rudeness toward one entitled to deference or respect: an impertinent interruption, question, manner toward a teacher. Impudent suggests a bold and shameless impertinence: an impudent speech, young rascal. Insolent suggests insulting or arrogantly contemptuous behavior: unbearably insolent toward those in authority.
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Example Sentences

It seemed almost impertinent to ask whether they believed a sustainable path for CTG was feasible in this uncertain environment, but the question needed to be asked.

The TV set is in your house, and you’re sitting six feet away from it, and especially in the wee hours of the night, whatever’s staring back at you can feel eerie, or impertinent.

"All these questions are very impertinent, I know, but if there is still a feeling in your heart for me… you must let me know!"

From BBC

Mr. Hillyard has irritated Mr. Trump before with questions that the former president deemed impertinent.

In the past, words or phrases deemed to have stepped over the line include "impertinent dog", "cad", "blethering", "guttersnipe" and "git".

From BBC

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impertinencyimperturbable