1,400 new words in our dictionary! — Parasocial, glow-up, promposal & more
1,400 new words in our dictionary! — More

sass

noun

ˈsas How to pronounce sass (audio)
Definition of sassnext
as in disrespect
disrespectful or argumentative talk given in response to a command or request an old-fashioned diner where getting sass from the waitstaff is part of the experience

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 sass Ginger and strawberry blonde strokes add warmth and sass. — Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2026 Then, give back the same sass McKenna gave her. — Angela George, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 26 Mar. 2026 While a small role in terms of solo singing, Maddison stood out with her one liners, sass, and overall commitment to her character. — Heide Janssen, Oc Register, 15 Mar. 2026 The younger of two siblings, Sarah was exuberant, with an infectious mix of sass and sweetness, her parents said. — Kim Chandler, Los Angeles Times, 12 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sass
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sass
  1. disrespect
  2. impudence
  3. insolence
  4. rudeness
  5. mouth
  6. back talk
  7. cheek
  8. sauce
Noun
  • The public weighted plain disrespect – how people are treated, apart from the economics – significantly more heavily than the philosophers did.
    — ESMT Berlin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
  • In the millions upon millions of words written and said about this World Cup, who has shown disrespect to players from Haiti, or any other smaller nation?
    — Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 July 2026
Definition of disrespect
Noun
  • Cronin has long toed the line of humor and impudence, appearing in social media clips all season.
    — Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 21 Feb. 2026
  • But such aesthetic impudence is par for the course at the kaleidoscopic seaside pleasure dome of architect Chet Callahan, his husband, finance executive Jacinto Hernandez, and their teenage sons, Hernan and Noe.
    — Mayer Rus, Architectural Digest, 12 Feb. 2026
Definition of impudence
Noun
  • Some of this was a matter of the insolence of riches and pride of place.
    — Adam Gopnik, New Yorker, 8 June 2026
  • Turner, in her incendiary film debut, drapes Matty in haughty insolence, desperate unattainability, and seductive refinement.
    — Kevin Jacobsen, Entertainment Weekly, 14 Mar. 2026
Definition of insolence
Noun
  • The once-vaunted values of public life are now reduced to the lower standards of private life—venality, vulgarity, rudeness, incontinence, and ignorance.
    — Simon Sebag Montefiore, The Atlantic, 28 June 2026
  • Tell her about the long, unwelcome chats, the bullying and the rudeness.
    — Jeanne Phillips, Mercury News, 25 June 2026
Definition of rudeness
Noun
  • Speaking of the valve, drinking out of this with the valve in place does take a little extra effort, but this bottle can grow with your kids too; when the time comes, simply replace the sippy lid with one of Nalgene’s wide-mouth caps.
    — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Each summer, thousands of beluga whales migrate to the mouth of the Churchill River, to feed on small fish and nurse their young.
    — The Week UK, TheWeek, 6 Sep. 2026
Definition of mouth
Noun
  • There’s no back talk and no emotional baggage, just pure obedience.
    — Jason Parham, Wired News, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Learn how to raise responsible kids; put an end to arguing, back talk and begging; avoid power struggles; and preserve loving relationships with your children.
    — Laura Groch, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Oct. 2022
Definition of back talk
Noun
  • Its star ingredient, tamarind seed extract, keeps cheeks comfortable and hydrated for hours.
    — Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Police said Sanchez was stabbed multiple times in his upper-right torso, while Tole had a large laceration on his left cheek that also required hospitalization.
    — Matt Schubert, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of cheek
Noun
  • Spread the marinara sauce over the eggplant in an even layer, then sprinkle evenly with the panko mixture.
    — Kate Williams, AJC.com, 14 Sep. 2026
  • When Jenn and Emily return, Shannon tries to cut the tension by talking about jarred pizza sauce (the only real laugh-out-loud moment of the episode), but there’s no salvaging this night.
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of sauce

Browse Nearby Words

sashes
sass
sassy
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sass.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sass. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of quorum

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
funny guinea pig in glasses reading a book
Challenging Words You Should Know Vol 2 Words to the wise
See All