insolent
Americanadjective
noun
adjective
Related Words
See impertinent.
Other Word Forms
- insolence noun
- insolently adverb
- overinsolent adjective
- overinsolently adverb
Etymology
Origin of insolent
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
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.
Be insolent, break the rules, don’t doubt your instincts and buy your freedom by working on the cheap.
From Los Angeles Times
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
I have this insolent, oppositional child and I get to be liable for that?
From New York Times
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.
