back talk

noun

Definition of back talk

: impudent, insolent, or argumentative replies

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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

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.

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Time Traveler for back talk

The first known use of back talk was in 1832

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More Definitions for back talk

back talk

noun

English Language Learners Definition of back talk

: rude speech in reply to someone who should be spoken to with respect

See the full definition for back talk in the English Language Learners Dictionary

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