Definition of insolentnext

insolent

2 of 2

noun

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

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
In the 18th century, lusty also meant insolent, which might have conveyed Anderson’s frustrations with Dina’s unwillingness to accept his authority over her. Carolyn Zola, The Conversation, 11 June 2026 Meanwhile, the insolent and hyper-confident Ruben (Stuart Campbell as a teen and Gadd as a grown-up) has been in trouble with the law from a tender age. Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026 Malinin’s confidence would be insolent if his acrobatics weren’t so astonishing. Sally Jenkins, The Atlantic, 1 Feb. 2026 The fox would once have crushed this insolent creature with a swipe of her paw. Hazlitt, 19 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for insolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insolent
Adjective
  • Mantello wasn’t being impudent.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • And to add insult to social and cultural injury, the new policies also present a logistical nuisance.
    Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 30 June 2026
  • In New York, night clubs were sometimes regarded as a civic nuisance; one obstacle was the city’s cabaret law, from 1926, which required bars to obtain a special permit if patrons were dancing and was not fully repealed until 2017.
    Kelefa Sanneh, New Yorker, 29 June 2026
Adjective
  • Let curiosity guide cooperation toward a wiser agreement.
    Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 27 June 2026
  • Grantham is either a wise veteran warning investors again or a permanent bear who fails to understand a new financial system.
    Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026
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
Adjective
  • Many also thought that Red44 was becoming too public, too brazen, too loud, and no one was louder than Nathan Burdette.
    Keith O’Brien, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
  • The brazen daylight shooting happened in the city’s most populous borough, Côte-des-Neiges, and ended after a shootout with the suspect, who was also killed.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 23 June 2026
Noun
  • His menu includes more than two dozen food options, including the Southwest egg rolls ($11), quesadillas ($14), black and blue burger ($14), beer brat ($12), and fish and chips ($14).
    Jenna Thompson June 18, Kansas City Star, 18 June 2026
  • Now that Hakeem Jeffries has recommended that Trump not attend game 3 of the NBA Finals in NYC, the petulant brat will most certainly attend.
    Voice of the People, New York Daily News, 8 June 2026
Adjective
  • Sipos as Dean, the life of the party, confident bordering on cocky.
    Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 June 2026
  • The city had a thriving poker scene in the early two-thousands, with enormous jackpots exchanging hands in empty warehouses and office parks, and Pughsley quickly earned a reputation for being loud and cocky.
    Keith O’Brien, New Yorker, 25 June 2026
Noun
  • August is when blockheads get cut.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 17 Aug. 2025
  • Why have a young man who looks exactly the same as the monolithic blockheads who are Perón’s followers and henchmen?
    Demetrios Matheou, HollywoodReporter, 2 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Insolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insolent. Accessed 2 Jul. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on insolent

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster