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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 insolence As to the kids’ responses, the more genial Olmo is not above whining, while parental demands usually provoke flat-out insolence from Ana, who breathes cigarette smoke like dragon fire. Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 Feb. 2025 Still, the similarities are felt, stylistically and technically, in the collage-like form and the free manipulation of archival images—and, above all, in a shared sense of audacious yet exquisite aestheticism yoked to a strain of refined, resolute insolence. Richard Brody, The New Yorker, 11 Dec. 2024 Only this time, instead of sneering insolence, Matt Smith’s Daemon was near tears as the king ripped into his brother. Kimberly Roots, TVLine, 21 July 2024 And despite Aegon’s insolence, neither Criston nor Aemond could have predicted that the king would show up to the fight drunk on dragonback before Aemond can arrive. Amanda Whiting, Vulture, 7 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for insolence
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insolence
Noun
  • The manner in which Miller kept the remains showed disrespect, Carpenter said.
    Domenica Bongiovanni, IndyStar, 5 Nov. 2025
  • The dissonance between their bacchanalian ritual and Adelaida’s silent, solitary suffering is marked, and the disrespect for the dead further underlined when a gravedigger tersely shoos her away from the graveside, reminding her that the area is unsafe, especially at nightfall.
    Jessica Kiang, Variety, 31 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • That said, James Cameron's epic reaches the pinnacle of disaster-movie impudence with the distasteful suggestion that the most celebrated tragedy of the 20th century occurred because a few lookouts were distracted by Kate and Leo sucking face.
    EW Staff Published, EW.com, 3 July 2025
  • But it’s got impudence and élan, and a feeling for life on the margins of English society.
    Dwight Garner, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • But yes, Miss Manners agrees that his rudeness justifies your ignoring his comment.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 10 Oct. 2025
  • But Takaichi has taken the strongest stances, decrying the rudeness of foreign tourists and accusing them of abusing the famous deer in Nara.
    Arata Yamamoto, NBC news, 3 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Or exacerbated the impertinence.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Of her schooling Minna said that she was mostly remembered for her impertinences in the presence of eminent scholars, and that at gatherings in general her comments seemed to attract a sideways cautious glance.
    Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insolence.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insolence. Accessed 8 Nov. 2025.

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