impertinence

noun

im·​per·​ti·​nence (ˌ)im-ˈpər-tə-nən(t)s How to pronounce impertinence (audio)
-ˈpərt-nən(t)s
1
: the quality or state of being impertinent: such as
2
: an instance of impertinence

Examples of impertinence in a Sentence

a disciplinarian of the old school, he refused to tolerate any impertinence from his children the impertinence of deliberately ignoring waiting customers while they finished their conversation
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The impertinence of the Kodak fiend has become a vast, invisible apparatus of computation that is perpetually grinding data from the grist of our daily affairs, and exploiting such information for all sorts of ends. Ben Tarnoff, The New Yorker, 5 Oct. 2024 Her highly English mix of impertinence, acerbic prose and class obsession turned the then-flailing magazine into a success. Michael M. Grynbaum, New York Times, 8 June 2024 Advertisement Gradually, though, like water dripping on a stone, Norm wore down their impertinence. Kevin Sherrington, Dallas News, 21 June 2023 Whew, that is some impertinence. Lance Eliot, Forbes, 7 Apr. 2021 See all Example Sentences for impertinence 

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of impertinence was in 1582

Dictionary Entries Near impertinence

Cite this Entry

“Impertinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impertinence. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

impertinence

noun
im·​per·​ti·​nence (ˈ)im-ˈpərt-ᵊn-ən(t)s How to pronounce impertinence (audio)
-ˈpərt-nən(t)s
1
: the quality or state of being impertinent
2
: a rude act or remark

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