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Synonyms

impertinent

American  
[im-pur-tn-uhnt] / ɪmˈpɜr tn ənt /

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 British  
/ 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

Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

  • impertinently adverb
  • impertinentness noun
  • unimpertinent adjective
  • unimpertinently adverb

Etymology

Origin of impertinent

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

From BBC • Dec. 29, 2023

I will not appear to condone the diminishment of any group at the expense of impertinent gestures toward another group for any reason, even when the law of the land appears to require it.’”

From Washington Times • Mar. 24, 2023

The younger characters are lively and appealing, not the least because they can be a little impertinent; as much as they might seem forged according to type, the actors make them into individuals.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 30, 2022

Ambassador Staffan Herrstrom was told that the "impertinent and ugly expression and images" about Erdogan and Turkey were unacceptable, Anadolu said.

From Reuters • Oct. 5, 2022

“Miss Lumley, do my eyes deceive me? This is the most impertinent thing I have ever heard of!”

From "The Hidden Gallery" by Maryrose Wood