INSOLENT Synonyms: 174 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

insolent 1 of 2

adjective

ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lənt

Definition of insolent next

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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Recent Examples of insolent

Adjective

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 Buy Now Homesick Barbie Dreamhouse Candle Diptyque Amber Candle Evoke the aura of a cackling fire with this woody scent from Diptyque, which features notes of wood, vetiver and patchouli enhanced with radiant aniseed, insolent spices, mysterious incense, cistus and tonka bean. —

Anna Tingley, Variety, 23 Feb. 2024 Streisand’s performance remains unmatched, even now, for its insolent weirdness. —

Rachel Syme, The New Yorker, 14 Nov. 2023 Which means that Ernaux doesn’t give us insolent graffiti or the occupation of the Sorbonne or Godard roaring insults at Cannes, but the thing that dealt the most effective blow that spring: the general strike. —

Tobi Haslett, Harper's Magazine, 18 Sep. 2023 See all Example Sentences for insolent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insolent

Adjective

More specifically, the impudent Skull Kid steals the Ocarina of Time and turns Link into a Deku Scrub, those antagonistic tree cannons first introduced in Ocarina.

— Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
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