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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Recent Examples of back talk
There’s no back talk and no emotional baggage, just pure obedience.
—
Jason Parham, Wired News, 26 Feb. 2026
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
Jason Parham, Wired News, 26 Feb. 2026
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for back talk
Noun
-
Government officials scolded young people for the signs of disrespect.—
Justin Spike,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Even a serial murderer can falsely accuse an innocent person of his crime and suffer no consequences, which breeds disrespect for the legal system.—
Wendy Murphy,
Boston Herald,
13 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Now the unicorn is back, cutely neighing, its mouth as open as Laura’s is closed.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
20 Apr. 2026
-
Duffy has also put his money where his mouth is, funneling $1 million from his mothballed campaign account dating back to his time in Congress to a super PAC supporting his son-in-law’s congressional campaign, according to the Badger Report, a nonprofit investigative outlet based in Wisconsin.—
Robert Schmad,
The Washington Examiner,
19 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Ginger and strawberry blonde strokes add warmth and sass.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Then, give back the same sass McKenna gave her.—
Angela George,
Sioux Falls Argus Leader,
26 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Green enchilada sauce and a poblano chiles add the right amount of heat while the mashed Great Northern beans thicken the broth—no dairy needed.—
Amanda Favazza,
Southern Living,
15 Apr. 2026
-
The company’s first kitchens had been built with a specially licensed cooking system referred to later as the Insta-broiler that moved beef patties around an electric heating unit and dropped them through chutes to soak in sauce, then be put in buns and wrapped.—
Steve Patterson,
USA Today,
15 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Back talk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/back%20talk. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.
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