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
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 Over the last two decades, Chinese relations with North Korea have deteriorated drastically behind the scenes, as China has tired of North Korea’s insolent behavior and reassessed its own interests on the peninsula. Oriana Skylar Mastro, Foreign Affairs, 12 Dec. 2017 This chicanery makes Leave the World Behind the most insolent executive-office musing ever committed to film — a full-out assault on the nation’s people. Armond White, National Review, 10 Apr. 2024 See All Example Sentences for insolent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for insolent
Adjective
  • One chord appears to speak to the other, sounding almost impudent in their simplicity, equal parts ecstatic and heartbreakingly melancholic.
    Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2025
  • In short, Moscow sees Montenegro as both strategically valuable and an impudent upstart that has thumbed its nose at the Russian bear while genuflecting before NATO and Washington.
    Edward P. Joseph, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2016
Noun
  • Resurging opposition to fluoridation — the practice of adding fluoride to public water systems at safe levels to prevent tooth decay — has been a nuisance for dentists, researchers and public health experts.
    Angela Palermo, Idaho Statesman, 12 May 2025
  • How to get rid of gnats Generally, gnats are more of a nuisance than an actual threat to humans.
    Cody Godwin, USA Today, 7 May 2025
Adjective
  • The one that was pretty impactful for me at Cannes, at least life trajectory wise, probably more impactful than all of those other films, came in 2012.
    Chris Gardner, HollywoodReporter, 18 May 2025
  • If not, while national security, stability, and local shipbuilding growth are important, adding levies to tariffs this year may not be wise.
    Phillip Molnar, Mercury News, 16 May 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
  • The brazen shooting of Thompson, in Midtown Manhattan, captured international attention and surfaced deep public resentment toward the healthcare industry.
    Matt Egan, CNN Money, 15 May 2025
  • That theft is believed to have led to the brazen kidnapping in suburban Connecticut of the parents of one of Lam’s alleged co-conspirators by a crew of thugs from Florida who prosecutors say planned to hold the parents for ransom from their newly rich son.
    Dan Mangan, CNBC, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Festive dogs featuring their chorizo, hatch green chile, and jalapeño brats will be sold at three sections of the stadium.
    Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 4 Apr. 2025
  • There are 18 beers on tap, most of which are Colorado brews; pub fare like brats, burgers and fries; and salads and poke.
    Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • But on the occasions when the ball did find him around the box, the cocky assurance that saw him nutmeg Branthwaite en route to scoring a 29-minute hat-trick in last season’s corresponding fixture was nowhere to be seen.
    Liam Twomey, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025
  • The Rock, cocky, handsome, and eager to flaunt his wealth and status, facing Stone Cold, the vicious everyman who can’t stand figures of authority.
    Daniel Dockery, Vulture, 21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • The healthcare system is filled with bold promises and complicated policies.
    William Jones, USA Today, 14 May 2025
  • Shoppers can choose between neutral hues including ivory, navy, and brown, or opt for bold yellow, red, or green.
    Maggie Horton, People.com, 13 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Insolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insolent. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

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