1
as in disrespect
disrespectful or argumentative talk given in response to a command or request
a disciplinarian of the old school, he refused to tolerate any impertinence from his children
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in disrespectfulness
rude behavior
the impertinence of deliberately ignoring waiting customers while they finished their conversation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in irrelevance
the quality or state of not having anything to do with the matter at hand
the impertinence of that issue renders any discussion of it a waste of our time
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impertinence
Her highly English mix of impertinence, acerbic prose and class obsession turned the then-flailing magazine into a success.
—
Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, 8 June 2024
Advertisement Gradually, though, like water dripping on a stone, Norm wore down their impertinence.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 21 June 2023
To a raging narcissist a plan is an impertinence, a Lilliputian restraint on the inspired instincts of a giant.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 21 Dec. 2022
Of course the request seemed rude to Jean—in the sense that all work was an impertinence that placed her days in service to another.
—Hannah Gold, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for impertinence
Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, 8 June 2024
Advertisement Gradually, though, like water dripping on a stone, Norm wore down their impertinence.
—Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 21 June 2023
To a raging narcissist a plan is an impertinence, a Lilliputian restraint on the inspired instincts of a giant.
—Fintan O’Toole, The New York Review of Books, 21 Dec. 2022
Of course the request seemed rude to Jean—in the sense that all work was an impertinence that placed her days in service to another.
—Hannah Gold, Harper’s Magazine , 26 Oct. 2022
See All Example Sentences for impertinence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impertinence
Noun
-
However, walking out of class demonstrates disrespect to the teachers who care for their well-being and support these students on a daily basis.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
17 Feb. 2026
-
The stakes may differ, but the disrespect for local authority remains the same.—
Joshua Simmons,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Boatwright would be wise to heed this history and either take Chipotle into new frontiers or prepare for its inevitable irrelevance.—
Gustavo Arellano,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Feb. 2026
-
But not all investors are convinced these companies are destined for irrelevance.—
Tristan Bove,
Fortune,
17 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
When things go sour, both kids spew insults and indignation with a matter-of-fact insolence.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
10 Feb. 2026
-
Egg’s plucky insolence belies his puny size, a comedic contrast with Claffey’s ex-rugby player physique, and perhaps his seemingly humble origins as well.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
13 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
But only those who had been woken up without warning with a degree of rudeness would remember this night when their own time came.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Feb. 2026
-
People do not generally express rudeness through presents.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Defendants rely on cases that, ironically, only confirm the inapplicability of the § 1252(f)(1) bar here.—
New York Times,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
Noun
-
But such aesthetic impudence is par for the course at the kaleidoscopic seaside pleasure dome of architect Chet Callahan, his husband, finance executive Jacinto Hernandez, and their teenage sons, Hernan and Noe.—
Mayer Rus,
Architectural Digest,
12 Feb. 2026
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The Kennedy Center’s president, Richard Grenell, announced that the Center intends to sue Redd for his impudence.—
Jonathan Chait,
The Atlantic,
30 Dec. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impertinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impertinence. Accessed 25 Feb. 2026.
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