impudent

[ im-pyuh-duhnt ]

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characterized by impertinence or effrontery:

   The student was kept late for impudent behavior.

   Synonyms: brazen, fresh, presumptuous, pert, saucy, rude, insulting

   Antonyms: courteous

2. Obsolete. shameless or brazenly immodest.

impudent

/ ˈɪmpjʊdənt /

adjective

1. mischievous, impertinent, or disrespectful
2. an obsolete word for immodest

Derived Forms

• ˈimpudently, adverb
• ˈimpudentness, noun

Other Words From

• impu·dent·ly adverb
• impu·dent·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of impudent¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English from Latin impudent- (stem of impudēns ) “shameless,” equivalent to im- im- ² + pud- (base of pudēre “to feel shame”; pudendum ) + -ent- -ent

Synonym Study

See impertinent.

Example Sentences

He is impudent in court, which probably did him no favors.

From Salon

On the other hand, there is all this chatter about Donald Trump being given a "creative punishment" by Judge Merchan for his impudent behavior against the court and in the hush-money election interference case.

From Salon

Judge Juan Merchan has mostly been successful in trying to discipline the impudent former president, at one point commanding him to sit down in court like he was a disobedient dog.

From Salon

“Fargo” sets tell a potent story by themselves, and one accent you may not have noticed is the impudent double meanings in the surroundings.

From Salon

Yet the controversy had the effect of typecasting Gurba as the impudent indie writer willing to torch the publishing industry to make a point about diversity.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• brazen
• cheeky