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
Noun
Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish. Mike Miller, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025 The officers weren't rude, angry, or insolent — as required of a battery conviction — and used their training and legal authority to do their jobs. Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024 Her subversive and dominating personality, and sometimes insolent rhetoric in her active X presence set her apart from the likes of other female AI chatbots, such as Siri whose aim is to assist and serve. Fatemeh Fannizadeh, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 Bullock’s John Hotham is forced to manage an uprising of rogue military personal and armed insurgents on a semi-fictional January 6, 2025 that makes the real-life January 6, 2021 seem like insolent child’s play. Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for insolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insolent
Adjective
  • 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
  • Fortunately, Snow White’s newfound enlightenment does not deny her the possibility of romance, although princes are now strictly off-limits; her love interest here is a fetchingly impudent bandit, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who is leading a scrappy rebellion against the Evil Queen.
    Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Wednesday Bye weeks have been mostly a nuisance so far this season.
    Kevin Cusick, Twin Cities, 25 Oct. 2025
  • Usually a last resort, the public nuisance investigation allows the Davidson County District Attorney's Office to bring these actions to criminal court, despite the complaint itself being civil in nature, Aaron said.
    Kirsten Fiscus, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • With them, outrage becomes fuel for sustained, wise action.
    Marc Brackett, Time, 28 Oct. 2025
  • Hubert will play a wise woman who meets Hilary (Coco Jones) and becomes instrumental to the Banks family.
    Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 28 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Evil is insolent and strong; beauty enchanting but rare; goodness very apt to be weak; folly very apt to be defiant; wickedness to carry the day; imbeciles to be in great places, people of sense in small, and mankind generally unhappy.
    Sam Sacks, WSJ, 18 Nov. 2016
  • Hard to accept that these imbeciles represent the people in our government.
    Kelefa Sanneh, The New Yorker, 5 Feb. 2016
Adjective
  • Dozens of investigators have been involved in chasing down at least four suspects who targeted the Louvre’s Apollo Gallery in a brazen daylight raid, fleeing with jewelry worth tens of millions in a matter of minutes.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 27 Oct. 2025
  • Multiple suspects have been arrested in connection with the brazen heist of crown jewels from the Louvre museum in Paris, a week after thieves stole millions of dollars worth of historic jewelry, the Paris prosecutor’s office said.
    Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 26 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • According to his obituary, Funkhouser was born an Air Force brat in Michigan and played football in high school.
    David Chiu, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Lorde writhed and danced on the b-stage and then launched into her own verse, recorded for the song’s viral remix during the brat-green summer of 2024.
    Rachel Scharf, Billboard, 19 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Don’t come on too hard or cocky; give practical reasons that showcase how your experience will benefit the company.
    Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 21 Oct. 2025
  • But their terrific new Some Like It Hot is even cockier, steamier, more insistent — one of the year’s kickiest indie-rock thrillers.
    Rob Sheffield, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Adjective
  • Add to this Senne Lammens, who has brought calm to a previously chaotic goalkeeping situation, and INEOS’ bold approach to the summer window is starting to pay off.
    Carl Anka, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025
  • From there, Anderson grounded the bold hosiery with understated brown leather pumps.
    Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 26 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insolent. Accessed 30 Oct. 2025.

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