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
  • If data centers eventually are included, for example, neighbors could take a hit due to impacts on electricity costs, water access, industrial noise and other nuisances that can come into play when a megaproject moves in next door.
    — David Greising, Chicago Tribune, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Not all ants are bad for the garden—some help with soil health and pest control—but fire ants and carpenter ants can be serious nuisances or hazards.
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
Definition of nuisance
Adjective
  • Policymakers, especially here in Tokyo, would be wise to accept more foreign workers to plug labor gaps, but that’s not a durable answer on its own.
    — Catherine Thorbecke, Twin Cities, 25 Apr. 2026
  • Steinberg believes the fit will work out well football wise and business wise.
    — Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 23 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
  • This is a brazen violation of international law.
    — Lincoln Anderson, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026
  • In a brazen attempt in December, a briefcase filled with pigeons stuffed in socks was intercepted at Latvia's border with Russia.
    — Sharyn Alfonsi, CBS News, 26 Apr. 2026
Definition of brazen
Noun
  • That film’s director, Pete Ohs, has been a brat about filmmaking for a long time now.
    — Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 24 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Definition of brat
Adjective
  • There’s a lot of, kind of hockey player archetypes — the flashy, cocky European superstar, that’s definitely a type.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Definition of cocky
Adjective
  • The six draft picks are listed in bold.
    — Josh Kendall, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The bold, eye-catching top boasts a longline design, much like the exercise styles of the early 2000s, and the colorblock finish is the icing on the cake.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 27 Apr. 2026
Definition of bold

Browse Nearby Words

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insolent
insolents
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Cite this Entry

“Insolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insolent. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on insolent

Nglish: Translation of insolent for Spanish Speakers

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