IMPERTINENT Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'impertinent' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impertinent are intrusive , meddlesome , obtrusive , and officious . While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice. // resented their impertinent interference

Q: When can 'intrusive' be used instead of 'impertinent'?

The meanings of intrusive and impertinent largely overlap; however, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs. // tried to be helpful without being intrusive

Q: When would 'meddlesome' be a good substitute for 'impertinent'?

In some situations, the words meddlesome and impertinent are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs. // a meddlesome landlord

Q: In what contexts can 'obtrusive' take the place of 'impertinent'?

The synonyms obtrusive and impertinent are sometimes interchangeable, but obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions. // expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

Q: When could 'officious' be used to replace 'impertinent'?

The words officious and impertinent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying. // officious friends made the job harder

impertinent

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpər-tə-nənt

Definition of impertinent next

as in wise

displaying or marked by rude boldness the impertinent child had a smart answer for everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rude

showing a lack of manners or consideration for others impertinent salesmen who telephone people during the dinner hour

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in irrelevant

not having anything to do with the matter at hand your résumé needlessly lists skills that are impertinent to the job for which you are applying

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective impertinent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impertinent are intrusive, meddlesome, obtrusive, and officious. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

When can intrusive be used instead of impertinent?

The meanings of intrusive and impertinent largely overlap; however, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

When would meddlesome be a good substitute for impertinent?

In some situations, the words meddlesome and impertinent are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

In what contexts can obtrusive take the place of impertinent?

The synonyms obtrusive and impertinent are sometimes interchangeable, but obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

When could officious be used to replace impertinent?

The words officious and impertinent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

Examples of impertinent in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The initial inquiry about aftershave was impertinent and, as it was delivered to the whole room, could simply have been ignored. —

Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024 The third season of Slow Horses, Apple TV+’s magnificent, impertinent spy series, begins with a feint: two lovers chasing state secrets in Istanbul, followed by a thrilling boat chase across the Bosphorus that turns into a car chase that ends in tragedy. —

Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2023 The big thing bugging Danny, though, is the impertinent presence of Roberta (Aubrey Plaza), who wants to move past drunken conversation and kick up some kind of romance. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 20 Nov. 2023 Members of a generation who care more about etiquette would not write rude, impertinent letters in the first place. —

Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2023 See all Example Sentences for impertinent

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impertinent.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.