as in disrespect
disrespectful or argumentative talk given in response to a command or request
his mother sent him to his room because of his constant back talk
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of back talk
Look at what tribal has become: In recent years, Probst encourages paranoia and back talk, frantic whisper sessions and utter confusion.
—
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 May 2024
Don't have any back talk or anything like that.
—Abc News, ABC News, 26 July 2022
At least an eye roll or back talk?
—Dallas News, 14 July 2022
Then there's the back talk.
—Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2021
Her father, a Greek immigrant, didn’t tolerate back talk.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023
Learn how to raise responsible kids; put an end to arguing, back talk and begging; avoid power struggles; and preserve loving relationships with your children.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2022
Any rebelliousness or back talk was considered witchcraft, and punished accordingly.
—Johnny Edwards, ajc, 17 June 2022
Watching Felton brings back talk of Duke Johnson following Hue Jackson around to meetings in 2017.
—Scott Patsko, cleveland, 31 July 2021
Brian Moylan, Vulture, 23 May 2024
Don't have any back talk or anything like that.
—Abc News, ABC News, 26 July 2022
At least an eye roll or back talk?
—Dallas News, 14 July 2022
Then there's the back talk.
—Washington Post, 7 Oct. 2021
Her father, a Greek immigrant, didn’t tolerate back talk.
—Courtland Milloy, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2023
Learn how to raise responsible kids; put an end to arguing, back talk and begging; avoid power struggles; and preserve loving relationships with your children.
—Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2022
Any rebelliousness or back talk was considered witchcraft, and punished accordingly.
—Johnny Edwards, ajc, 17 June 2022
Watching Felton brings back talk of Duke Johnson following Hue Jackson around to meetings in 2017.
—Scott Patsko, cleveland, 31 July 2021
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back talk
Noun
-
Recognizing when jokes mask disrespect is not about becoming overly cautious or humorless, but about ensuring that laughter contributes to connection, rather than corrosion.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
13 May 2025
-
Our child's protest isn't a sign of disrespect or defiance.—
Elisabeth Sherman,
Parents,
29 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Next up could be the Hyatt Regency at the Brickell bridge along the mouth of the Miami River.—
Vinod Sreeharsha,
Miami Herald,
16 May 2025
-
The single artwork follows the theme of the track, which sees Kesha being choked by someone who holds a cigarette to her mouth, while another arm holds up a silver telephone to her ear.—
Tomás Mier,
Rolling Stone,
16 May 2025
Noun
-
The Innocents Abroad is written with a new curiosity and sass, unburdened by any lingering sense of inferiority to Europe.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
9 May 2025
-
Officials have responded to the text-thread security failure and other weighty controversies with sass and indifference.—
Noah Rothman,
National Review,
25 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
The Sichuan peppercorn sauce will be concocted at home from a mix of Lao Gan Ma chili crisp ($14) and a citric Olokoi sauce from Palau ($13), previously unknown to me, plus my own cumin.—
Matthew Korfhage,
Wired News,
18 May 2025
-
Hot Ones host Sean Evans attracts millions of viewers for his A-list celebrity sit-down interviews while taste-testing hot wings that increase in spice, and just as the sauce gets hotter, so do the questions asked.—
Skyler Caruso,
People.com,
17 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Back talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20talk. Accessed 21 May. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share