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

Other Word Forms

• insolently adverb
• overinsolent adjective
• overinsolently adverb
• insolence noun

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

Be insolent, break the rules, don’t doubt your instincts and buy your freedom by working on the cheap.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Zelensky also called for a joint air defence system to act as an air shield over Europe as a response for Russia's "insolent" behaviour.

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Fans were momentarily disappointed, but nothing could detract from the insolent, messy glory of tracks like Club Classics or Sympathy Is A Knife.

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

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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.”

Read more on Seattle Times

Related Words

• disrespectful