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

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.

From BBC

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

From BBC

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

From BBC

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.”

From Seattle Times

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov rejected the allegations of a cover-up, telling reporters that “these are absolutely unfounded, insolent accusations about the head of the Russian state.”

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• disrespectful