Insolence

/ˈɪnsələns/
noun

Rude or disrespectful behavior.

He was filled with shock by the student's insolence.
Visual representation of "insolence" - Rude or disrespectful behavior

Often appears as...

  • breathtaking insolence
  • sheer insolence

Usage tips

Disapproving

noun

A bold defiance of authority or disrespect.

The prisoner's insolence cost him a week in solitary confinement.
Visual representation of "insolence" - A bold defiance of authority or disrespect

Often appears as...

  • brazen insolence
  • glaring insolence

Usage tips

Formal, Disapproving

noun

Unwarranted arrogance or presumption.

His insolence in high office led to his downfall.
Visual representation of "insolence" - Unwarranted arrogance or presumption

Often appears as...

  • intolerable insolence
  • audacious insolence

Usage tips

Formal, Disapproving

noun

Rude or disrespectful behavior.

He was filled with shock by the student's insolence.
Visual representation of "insolence" - Rude or disrespectful behavior

Often appears as...

  • breathtaking insolence
  • sheer insolence

Usage tips

Disapproving

noun

A bold defiance of authority or disrespect.

The prisoner's insolence cost him a week in solitary confinement.
Visual representation of "insolence" - A bold defiance of authority or disrespect

Often appears as...

  • brazen insolence
  • glaring insolence

Usage tips

Formal, Disapproving

noun

Unwarranted arrogance or presumption.

His insolence in high office led to his downfall.
Visual representation of "insolence" - Unwarranted arrogance or presumption

Often appears as...

  • intolerable insolence
  • audacious insolence

Usage tips

Formal, Disapproving

Definition 1 of 3
Visual representation of "insolence"
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Insolence always has a negative connotation implying disrespect that is often provocative.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His insolence towards the manager resulted in immediate dismissal.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Informal Situations

Insolence might be more tolerated among friends as banter, but it's still risky.

Illustration for Informal Situations
They laughed off his insolence as a quirky trait.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Playful

Unlike 'cheeky', insolence is not seen as playful or endearing.

Illustration for Not Playful
What you see as fun, I see as insolence.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Insolence always has a negative connotation implying disrespect that is often provocative.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His insolence towards the manager resulted in immediate dismissal.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Informal Situations

Insolence might be more tolerated among friends as banter, but it's still risky.

Illustration for Informal Situations
They laughed off his insolence as a quirky trait.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Playful

Unlike 'cheeky', insolence is not seen as playful or endearing.

Illustration for Not Playful
What you see as fun, I see as insolence.
LampPro Tip 1/3

Negative Connotation

Insolence always has a negative connotation implying disrespect that is often provocative.

Illustration for Negative Connotation
His insolence towards the manager resulted in immediate dismissal.
LampPro Tip 2/3

Informal Situations

Insolence might be more tolerated among friends as banter, but it's still risky.

Illustration for Informal Situations
They laughed off his insolence as a quirky trait.
LampPro Tip 3/3

Not Playful

Unlike 'cheeky', insolence is not seen as playful or endearing.

Illustration for Not Playful
What you see as fun, I see as insolence.
Visual representation of the word "Insolence"

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Video examples

Hippo Licks Croc PIPE...

of the feeding crocodiles scientists haven't figured out why yet but hippos seem to enjoy hanging with these bloodthirsty killers as they shred their victim and gorge on its flesh talk about insolence why do the Crocs put up

Video examples

Hippo Licks Croc PIPE...

of the feeding crocodiles scientists haven't figured out why yet but hippos seem to enjoy hanging with these bloodthirsty killers as they shred their victim and gorge on its flesh talk about insolence why do the Crocs put up

Example 1 of 1

Quote examples

Emil Cioran

Romanian Philosopher

However much I have frequented the mystics, deep down I have always sided with the Devil; unable to equal him in power, I have tried to be worthy of him, at least, in insolence, acrimony, arbitrariness and caprice.
Portrait of Emil Cioran

Quote examples

Sarah Fielding

British Author

Flattery in courtship is the highest insolence, for whilst it pretends to bestow on you more than you deserve, it is watching an opportunity to take from you what you really have.
Portrait of Sarah Fielding

Quote examples

Bryant H. McGill

American Author

Callousness and insolence bring to bare unanimous social condemnation, while the simple efforts of politeness are admired; even in those who are otherwise despised.
Portrait of Bryant H. McGill

Quote examples

Charles Spurgeon

British Clergyman

As for our great King, when we venture into His presence, let us have a purpose there. Let us beware of playing at praying; it is insolence toward God.
Portrait of Charles Spurgeon

Quote examples

Henry Fielding

English Novelist

There is an insolence which none but those who themselves deserve contempt can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.
Portrait of Henry Fielding

Quote examples

Andre Maurois

French Writer

We appreciate frankness from those who like us. Frankness from others is called insolence.
Portrait of Andre Maurois

Quote examples

Elias Canetti

Swiss Author

Success is the space one occupies in the newspaper. Success is one day's insolence.
Portrait of Elias Canetti

Quote examples

Rumi

Poet

Your depression is connected to your insolence and refusal to praise.
Portrait of Rumi

Quote examples

Robert Green Ingersoll

American Lawyer

Insolence is not logic; epithets are the arguments of malice.
Portrait of Robert Green Ingersoll

Quote examples

Aristotle

Greek Philosopher

Wit is educated insolence.
Portrait of Aristotle

Quote examples

Emil Cioran

Romanian Philosopher

However much I have frequented the mystics, deep down I have always sided with the Devil; unable to equal him in power, I have tried to be worthy of him, at least, in insolence, acrimony, arbitrariness and caprice.
Portrait of Emil Cioran

Quote examples

Sarah Fielding

British Author

Flattery in courtship is the highest insolence, for whilst it pretends to bestow on you more than you deserve, it is watching an opportunity to take from you what you really have.
Portrait of Sarah Fielding

Quote examples

Bryant H. McGill

American Author

Callousness and insolence bring to bare unanimous social condemnation, while the simple efforts of politeness are admired; even in those who are otherwise despised.
Portrait of Bryant H. McGill

Quote examples

Charles Spurgeon

British Clergyman

As for our great King, when we venture into His presence, let us have a purpose there. Let us beware of playing at praying; it is insolence toward God.
Portrait of Charles Spurgeon

Quote examples

Henry Fielding

English Novelist

There is an insolence which none but those who themselves deserve contempt can bestow, and those only who deserve no contempt can bear.
Portrait of Henry Fielding

Quote examples

Andre Maurois

French Writer

We appreciate frankness from those who like us. Frankness from others is called insolence.
Portrait of Andre Maurois

Quote examples

Elias Canetti

Swiss Author

Success is the space one occupies in the newspaper. Success is one day's insolence.
Portrait of Elias Canetti

Quote examples

Rumi

Poet

Your depression is connected to your insolence and refusal to praise.
Portrait of Rumi

Quote examples

Robert Green Ingersoll

American Lawyer

Insolence is not logic; epithets are the arguments of malice.
Portrait of Robert Green Ingersoll

Quote examples

Aristotle

Greek Philosopher

Wit is educated insolence.
Portrait of Aristotle
Example 1 of 10
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