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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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Recent Examples of back talk
Jason Isaacs isn't here for all the muggle back talk.
—
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 8 July 2025
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
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
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
Any rebelliousness or back talk was considered witchcraft, and punished accordingly.
—Johnny Edwards, ajc, 17 June 2022
Edward Segarra, USA Today, 8 July 2025
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
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
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
Any rebelliousness or back talk was considered witchcraft, and punished accordingly.
—Johnny Edwards, ajc, 17 June 2022
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back talk
Noun
-
Accompanying this diagnosis is a sense of disrespect from political elites and Democrats.—
Daniel Yudkin,
The Atlantic,
24 Jan. 2026
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Club Brugge supporters who wore ‘mankinis’ made famous by the satirical character Borat for their team’s Champions League clash against Kairat Almaty on Tuesday have been jailed in Kazakhstan for five days for showing disrespect, Belgian media reported on Thursday.—
Reuters,
NBC news,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Baby and Kids' Toys Babies put everything in their mouths, and the dishwasher is a perfect way to keep teething rings and pacifiers clean.—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
The Spruce,
9 Jan. 2026
-
Mistora, the mysterious cocktail bar that opened last year in Atlanta’s Piedmont Heights neighborhood, put a bad taste in my mouth before the first dish even touched my table.—
Henri Hollis,
AJC.com,
8 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Her sass pretty much sealed the deal on our guesses.—
Lea Veloso,
StyleCaster,
21 Jan. 2026
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Their most recent project is a French rosé, a mix of NYC sass meets Provence.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
10 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
Egg on a Roll The Brisket Firecracker is a breakfast sandwich with an egg soufflé, pepper jack cheese, smoked brisket and an elote sauce with Cry Baby Craig’s hot sauce.—
Angela George,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
28 Jan. 2026
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Think baked dishes, one-pan pastas, or rich but approachable sauces.—
Allison Palmer,
Miami Herald,
28 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20talk. Accessed 30 Jan. 2026.
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