impertinence

noun

im·​per·​ti·​nence (ˌ)im-ˈpər-tə-nən(t)s 

-ˈpərt-nən(t)s

1

: the quality or state of being impertinent: such as

a

: incivility, insolence

b

: irrelevance, inappropriateness

2

: an instance of impertinence

Synonyms

• back talk
• backchat
• cheek
• impudence
• insolence
• mouth
• sass
• sauce

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

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

Word History

First Known Use

1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

impertinence

noun

im·​per·​ti·​nence (ˈ)im-ˈpərt-ᵊn-ən(t)s 

-ˈpərt-nən(t)s

1

: the quality or state of being impertinent

2

: a rude act or remark