back talk

Definition of back talk

: impudent, insolent, or argumentative replies

Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More about back talk

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of back talk in a Sentence

Don't give me any back talk! his mother sent him to his room because of his constant back talk

Recent Examples on the Web And the Roborock won’t give you any sassy back talk like Rosie. — Ann Lien, House Beautiful, "This Hybrid Robot Handles Two Chores At Once," 24 June 2019 After a week off, Gov. Ned Lamont is back talking about tolls, this time convening a meeting at the state Capitol to continue discussions ahead of a potential tolls vote this summer. — Russell Blair, courant.com, "Capitol Week in Review: Gov. Ned Lamont offers a tax cut for tolls, Nancy Pelosi comes to Hartford," 21 June 2019 His message is always the same: No fouls, no bad conduct, and whatever happens, no back talk to the referees. — Joshua Robinson, WSJ, "Uruguay: Soccer’s Dead Poets Society," 29 June 2018 It will be broken down into two back-to-back talks, one with drama writers, and another with comedy writers. — refinery29.com, ""Shame On You." Celebs & Writers React To 90% Male Hollywood Panel," 6 June 2018 In back-to-back talks, Lundin made the case for FODMAPs, and Alaedini for an immune reaction. — Kelly Servick, Science | AAAS, "What’s really behind ‘gluten sensitivity’?," 23 May 2018 Barbish reacted with hostility to her sudden back talk. — Michael Lapointe, The Atlantic, "The Twisted Tale of the World’s Largest Pearl," 11 May 2018 The fallout from Hector Bellerin's criticism of ArsenalFanTV shows no signs of ending after 'leaked' audio of the full-back talking disparagingly about the club appeared online. — SI.com, "Arsenal Fans React to Allegedly 'Leaked' Hector Bellerin Audio Clip Amid AFTV Fallout," 20 Feb. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'back talk.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about back talk

Dictionary Entries near back talk

Statistics for back talk

Cite this Entry

“Back talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/back%20talk. Accessed 17 Feb. 2020.

Keep scrolling for more

WORD OF THE DAY

probity

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

More Confusing Words—Quiz

The magician ______ moved the selected card to the top of the deck.

discretely discreetly

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.