insolent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lənt How to pronounce insolent (audio)
Definition of insolentnext
as in impudent
displaying or marked by rude boldness an appallingly insolent reply to a reasonable request

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

insolent

2 of 2

noun

as in nuisance

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective insolent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of insolent are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When could arrogant be used to replace insolent?

The synonyms arrogant and insolent are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When can disdainful be used instead of insolent?

The words disdainful and insolent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When might haughty be a better fit than insolent?

While the synonyms haughty and insolent are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When is lordly a more appropriate choice than insolent?

While in some cases nearly identical to insolent, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

In what contexts can overbearing take the place of insolent?

The meanings of overbearing and insolent largely overlap; however, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

Where would proud be a reasonable alternative to insolent?

The words proud and insolent can be used in similar contexts, but proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When would supercilious be a good substitute for insolent?

Although the words supercilious and insolent have much in common, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

How does the adjective insolent differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of insolent are arrogant, disdainful, haughty, lordly, overbearing, proud, and supercilious. While all these words mean "showing scorn for inferiors," insolent implies contemptuous haughtiness.

ignored by an insolent waiter

When could arrogant be used to replace insolent?

The synonyms arrogant and insolent are sometimes interchangeable, but arrogant implies a claiming for oneself of more consideration or importance than is warranted.

a conceited and arrogant executive

When can disdainful be used instead of insolent?

The words disdainful and insolent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, disdainful suggests a more active and openly scornful superciliousness.

disdainful of their social inferiors

When might haughty be a better fit than insolent?

While the synonyms haughty and insolent are close in meaning, haughty suggests a consciousness of superior birth or position.

a haughty aristocrat

When is lordly a more appropriate choice than insolent?

While in some cases nearly identical to insolent, lordly implies pomposity or an arrogant display of power.

a lordly condescension

In what contexts can overbearing take the place of insolent?

The meanings of overbearing and insolent largely overlap; however, overbearing suggests a tyrannical manner or an intolerable insolence.

an overbearing supervisor

Where would proud be a reasonable alternative to insolent?

The words proud and insolent can be used in similar contexts, but proud may suggest an assumed superiority or loftiness.

too proud to take charity

When would supercilious be a good substitute for insolent?

Although the words supercilious and insolent have much in common, supercilious implies a cool, patronizing haughtiness.

an aloof and supercilious manner

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 insolent
Adjective
The movie’s startling originality is in its spirit, its insolent ironies. —Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 July 2025 One’s insolent, calling him lame and old, and the other affectedly infantile, but both are exhausting in their own way. —Keith Phipps, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish. —Mike Miller, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025 Dickinson’s Samuel is an intriguing, insolent magnet from the start. —Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for insolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insolent
  1. impudent
  2. nuisance
  3. wise
  4. imbecile
  5. brazen
  6. brat
  7. cocky
  8. bold
Adjective
  • His first goal was pretty enough, an inch-perfect sidefoot just inside Donnarumma’s far post, but his second was a work of impudent art.
    — Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
  • Gemma reluctantly agrees to rebuild her impudent robot in a new body, and the sequel ends with an explosive showdown between Amelia and M3GAN, who nearly dies in a noble attempt to save Gemma and her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).
    — Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 June 2025
Definition of impudent
Noun
  • City code does say that livestock cannot become a nuisance.
    — Idaho Statesman, Idaho Statesman, 16 Apr. 2026
  • The spider’s diet includes ants (Hymenoptera), flies and mosquitoes (Diptera) and beetles (Coleoptera) — a lineup that reads like a checklist of common household nuisances.
    — Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 15 Apr. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Adjective
  • Diaz-Balart of Miami is among the Republicans now doubting redistricting is wise.
    — Jeffrey Schweers, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 Apr. 2026
  • David Schulte had helped other cities remove terrain and encourage water-wise sod installations, like a Tahoma 31 Bermuda grass blend.
    — Gabriela Vidal, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026
Definition of wise
Noun
  • If the eventual outcome hadn’t been so tragic, and if one of the people involved hadn’t been an absolute imbecile, and if there hadn’t been a dearth of actual romance, their meeting would have made for good romantic fiction.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 30 Mar. 2026
  • Insulting this imbecile became the most rewarding pastime on earth.
    — Rosa Lyster, Harpers Magazine, 30 Dec. 2025
Definition of imbecile
Adjective
  • For patrician statesmen, grandeur is usually understated, radiating restraint rather than gawk-inspiring shows of brazen wealth.
    — Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2026
  • Such institutional prejudice often surfaces, in ways both brazen and subtle, when Muslims attempt to build new places of worship or renovate existing ones.
    — Connor Letourneau, San Francisco Chronicle, 11 Apr. 2026
Definition of brazen
Noun
  • No defensiveness in his voice — just the most relaxed kind of confidence, a sexy brat with zero shame.
    — Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 19 Feb. 2026
  • The Navy brat joined the Army in 1953, emerged as a Private First Class, and hit New York in the winter of 1955 to begin studying at Neighborhood Playhouse under Sanford Meisner.
    — Fred Schruers, IndieWire, 16 Feb. 2026
Definition of brat
Adjective
  • The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
  • Many of them had a cocky attitude, even after their fathers were killed.
    — Marta Balaga, Variety, 26 Mar. 2026
Definition of cocky
Adjective
  • His choreography, recreated from his work on the show, delivers big, bold, classic Broadway dance sequences that feel ripped from another era in the best way.
    — Dave Quinn, PEOPLE, 21 Apr. 2026
  • This transit favors bold thinking backed by follow-through.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 20 Apr. 2026
Definition of bold

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Cite this Entry

“Insolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insolent. Accessed 21 Apr. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on insolent

Nglish: Translation of insolent for Spanish Speakers

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