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.
Of her schooling Minna said that she was mostly remembered for her impertinences in the presence of eminent scholars, and that at gatherings in general her comments seemed to attract a sideways cautious glance. Jim Shepard, New Yorker, 8 June 2025 This wasn't the first time one reduced me to spewing curses, just the first time a robot has accused me of impertinence. Mark Phelan, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2025 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 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 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Impertinence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impertinence. Accessed 24 Jun. 2025.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on impertinence

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