insolence
Americannoun
-
contemptuously rude or impertinent behavior or speech.
-
the quality or condition of being insolent.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of insolence
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English word from Latin word insolentia. See insolent, -ence
Explanation
Insolence is a rude, disrespectful act. The teenager's insolence got her in trouble with her teachers. Insolence is an act of or the trait of being a jerk, especially to someone you should respect. Insolence is what rude and stuck-up people show off every chance they get. They ignore their parents, walk out on dinner bills, elbow old people out of the way, and tell professors their clothes look cheap. Insolence is a trait to get rid of, not flaunt. Teenagers often embrace insolence when they get to the age when they think their parents are stupid. (It usually wears off.)
Vocabulary lists containing insolence
Chains
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Heart of Darkness
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Nothing But the Truth
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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.
"Look around you at these monstrosities of insanity, insolence, incompetence and degeneration," he declared in his opening address.
From Salon ● Jun. 8, 2025
Moscow accused Pashinyan of behaviour bordering on insolence, and on Friday summoned Armenia's ambassador to protest against "hostile steps".
From Reuters ● Sep. 12, 2023
“But I get the impression that there are limits. It shouldn’t go too far. By too far, I mean, there shouldn’t be insolence or irreverence.”
From New York Times ● Jul. 22, 2022
Miss Manners thoroughly disapproves of this guest, whose transgression may have been made out of ignorance but who followed it with insolence.
From Washington Post ● Dec. 21, 2021
Helmuth's insolence launches Justice Fikeis to his feet.
From "The Boy Who Dared" by Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
