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

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 impertinent For three long weeks that began to seem rude or impertinent, as if the Prize hadn’t been announced, as if a king and queen weren’t waiting for his answer, Dylan said nothing about the award. —

Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025 Questions about the overheating of the American economy were brushed aside as impertinent. —

Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025 But people all around us ask impertinent questions all the time. —

Harriette Cole, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2025 There this brilliant but bewildered scientist gets cornered by a plutocrat with impertinent questions. —

Alan Scherstuhl, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for impertinent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impertinent

Adjective

Gardens of all sizes include water-wise, ornamental and edible plants, natives, succulents, views, chickens, canyons, orchards and more.

— Martina Schimitschek, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Mar. 2026
Chief among them is the late and especially great Dame Maggie Smith, who gave one of her most powerful and enduring performances as the prim and wise Violet Crawley.

— Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Mar. 2026