1
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
the impertinent child had a smart answer for everything
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in rude
showing a lack of manners or consideration for others
impertinent salesmen who telephone people during the dinner hour
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in irrelevant
not having anything to do with the matter at hand
your résumé needlessly lists skills that are impertinent to the job for which you are applying
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of impertinent
Starting out as a stand-up in her native Detroit and then getting her big break on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in 1969, Tomlin, now 84, invented iconic characters — from Ernestine, an impertinent telephone operator, to Edith Ann, a precocious 5-year-old — both absurd and sweet but undeniably human.
—
Jason Sheeler, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024
Beyond the Biennale, Christoph Büchel’s frenzied exhibition at the Fondazione Prada assembles mountains of junk and jewels into an impertinent exposé of wealth and debt, colonialism and collecting.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The initial inquiry about aftershave was impertinent and, as it was delivered to the whole room, could simply have been ignored.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
The third season of Slow Horses, Apple TV+’s magnificent, impertinent spy series, begins with a feint: two lovers chasing state secrets in Istanbul, followed by a thrilling boat chase across the Bosphorus that turns into a car chase that ends in tragedy.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for impertinent
Jason Sheeler, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024
Beyond the Biennale, Christoph Büchel’s frenzied exhibition at the Fondazione Prada assembles mountains of junk and jewels into an impertinent exposé of wealth and debt, colonialism and collecting.
—Jason Farago, New York Times, 24 Apr. 2024
The initial inquiry about aftershave was impertinent and, as it was delivered to the whole room, could simply have been ignored.
—Jacobina Martin, Washington Post, 17 Apr. 2024
The third season of Slow Horses, Apple TV+’s magnificent, impertinent spy series, begins with a feint: two lovers chasing state secrets in Istanbul, followed by a thrilling boat chase across the Bosphorus that turns into a car chase that ends in tragedy.
—Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, 20 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for impertinent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impertinent
Adjective
-
Plunkett is not the first critic to trouble the popular conception of Frost as a wise woodsman dispensing comfort and inspiration.—
Maggie Doherty,
The New Yorker,
24 Feb. 2025
-
The decision to put Kreider in over Kyle Connor, who has 30 goals this year, did not end up looking like a wise one.—
Arthur Staple,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Your friend is not a rude person; therefore, if their camera appears to be pointing your way, that must be a mistake.—
Judith Martin,
The Mercury News,
20 Feb. 2025
-
Another thing the two women have in common: rude, moody, older boyfriends.—
Judy Berman,
TIME,
17 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
That's a day where those two objects are completely irrelevant.—
Mark Joseph,
Newsweek,
24 Feb. 2025
-
All that’s missing from this run for Sampson is a national title, but whether that comes or not, this is a legendary stretch at a school that was a has-been, irrelevant in the sport with no sign of hope.—
CJ Moore,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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
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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
Adjective
-
Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish.—
Mike Miller,
EW.com,
12 Feb. 2025
-
The officers weren't rude, angry, or insolent — as required of a battery conviction — and used their training and legal authority to do their jobs.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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Her makeup included bold brows and a smokey eye with a glossy lip.—
Julia Teti,
WWD,
18 Feb. 2025
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The case for a new general manager is that person would be able to better identify the types of players necessary to round at this roster and have the foresight to take bold and proactive action to make moves happen.—
Matthew Fairburn,
The Athletic,
18 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Bouchard’s uneven season might be enough to scare away some NHL teams, but not all; the brazen work by the St. Louis Blues has worked out well for the team’s general manager (Doug Armstrong).—
Allan Mitchell,
The Athletic,
21 Feb. 2025
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Now identified and charged in the brazen fatal shooting of a health care executive, his influence has persisted, even from behind bars.—
Hurubie Meko,
New York Times,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Kieran Culkin’s good at being cocky and irreverent, and both of those characters have that.—
Nate Jones,
Vulture,
15 Feb. 2025
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The cocky decision will have unnerving ramifications.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Jan. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Impertinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impertinent. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
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