impudent

im·pu·dent

adj \ˈim-pyə-dənt\

Definition of IMPUDENT

1

obsolete : lacking modesty

2

: marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others : insolent

— im·pu·dent·ly adverb

Examples of IMPUDENT

1. The boy was punished for his impudent behavior.
2. <the guest's impudent inquiries about the cost of just about everything we had in the house>
3. As in the sixties, being young then was in itself an empowerment; writing under Harding and Coolidge was impudent fun. —John Updike, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 1988
4. Or it was he who was bruiting it about, with his princely dark head thrown back in impudent laughter, that he was going to be king. —Joseph Heller, God Knows, 1984
5. When I refused to be the child they knew and accepted me to be, I was called impudent and my muteness sullenness. —Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969

Origin of IMPUDENT

Middle English, from Latin impudent-, impudens, from in- + pudent-, pudens, present participle of pudēre to feel shame

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to IMPUDENT

Synonyms: arch, audacious, bold, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, brazen-faced, cheeky, cocksure, cocky, fresh, impertinent, nervy, insolent, sassy, saucy, wise

Antonyms: meek, mousy (or mousey), retiring, shy, timid

Related Words: assertive, forward, obtrusive; audacious, defiant, disrespectful; shameless, unabashed, unblushing; bluff, blunt, curt; cute, facetious, flip, flippant, pert, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky; lippy, mouthy

Near Antonyms: demure, humble, modest; courteous, genteel, mannerly, polite, proper; deferential, respectful; abashed, ashamed, blushing, embarrassed, shamefaced; gentle, mild; inconspicuous, unobtrusive

[+]more[-]hide