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
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 His suggestion not to reply to the pronoun impertinence makes good sense. 
WSJ, 9 Feb. 2022 For her part, Ms. Pinkston likened the treatment Mr. Wright suffered on the job to the impertinence all restaurant servers endure, regardless of race. New York Times, 16 Aug. 2021 But Son seems more deeply affronted by the effortlessness of Justin’s existence than by the impertinence of his manner. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 26 July 2021 Slim glinted dangerously at her granddaughter and swallowed the girl’s impertinence up with a laugh. Lauren Groff, The New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2021 Some might see this as youthful impertinence combined with an awkward metaphor. Jack Handey, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2021 Frank Chapman, the museum’s bird curator and the founding editor of Bird-Lore, the Audubon association magazine, rose from the audience to furiously condemn the pamphlet, its authors and Edge’s impertinence. Melissa Groo, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021 In less hectic times censors would swiftly stamp out such impertinence. The Economist, 30 Jan. 2020 Somehow, Arnautoff’s impertinence was overlooked at the time. Kevin Baker, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019 See More
WSJ, 9 Feb. 2022 For her part, Ms. Pinkston likened the treatment Mr. Wright suffered on the job to the impertinence all restaurant servers endure, regardless of race. New York Times, 16 Aug. 2021 But Son seems more deeply affronted by the effortlessness of Justin’s existence than by the impertinence of his manner. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 26 July 2021 Slim glinted dangerously at her granddaughter and swallowed the girl’s impertinence up with a laugh. Lauren Groff, The New Yorker, 27 Apr. 2021 Some might see this as youthful impertinence combined with an awkward metaphor. Jack Handey, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2021 Frank Chapman, the museum’s bird curator and the founding editor of Bird-Lore, the Audubon association magazine, rose from the audience to furiously condemn the pamphlet, its authors and Edge’s impertinence. Melissa Groo, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Mar. 2021 In less hectic times censors would swiftly stamp out such impertinence. The Economist, 30 Jan. 2020 Somehow, Arnautoff’s impertinence was overlooked at the time. Kevin Baker, Harper's magazine, 28 Oct. 2019 See More Word History
First Known Use
1582, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
impertinence
noun
im·per·ti·nence im-ˈpər-tə-nəns
: the quality or state of being very rude or disrespectful
impertinence
noun
1
as in disrespect
disrespectful or argumentative talk given in response to a command or request a disciplinarian of the old school, he refused to tolerate any impertinence from his children Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- disrespect
- insolence
- impudence
- rudeness
- sass
- back talk
- tactlessness
- retort
- rejoinder
- discourtesy
- mouth
- cheek
- nonsense
- impoliteness
- audacity
- cuteness
- boldness
- riposte
- crossness
- sauce
- brazenness
- wisecrack
- brusqueness
- crassness
- bluntness
- abruptness
- guff
- vulgarity
- backchat
- audaciousness
- coarseness
- crudity
- surliness
- gruffness
- curtness
- comeback
- bluffness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- politeness
- diplomacy
- gentility
- civility
- deference
- tactfulness
- gallantry
- graciousness
- cordiality
- courtesy
- suavity
- smoothness
- consideration
- respect
- affability
- suaveness
2
as in disrespectfulness
rude behavior the impertinence of deliberately ignoring waiting customers while they finished their conversation Synonyms & Similar Words
- disrespect
- disrespectfulness
- insolence
- rudeness
- impudence
- arrogance
- discourtesy
- impoliteness
- inconsiderateness
- ungraciousness
- inconsideration
- incivility
- impertinency
- audacity
- boldness
- brashness
- dis
- forwardness
- boorishness
- shamelessness
- churlishness
- brusqueness
- sauciness
- diss
- bluntness
- discourteousness
- caddishness
- vulgarity
- abruptness
- crossness
- crudeness
- disagreeableness
- loutishness
- clownishness
- curtness
- gruffness
- sullenness
- pretension
- surliness
- presumption
- inappropriateness
- brassiness
- conceitedness
- crustiness
- pretense
- unfitness
- grumpiness
- unsuitability
- indecency
- incorrectness
- conceit
- impropriety
- pretence
- pretentiousness
- crabbedness
- sharpness
- improperness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- politeness
- humility
- gentility
- consideration
- thoughtfulness
- graciousness
- considerateness
- deference
- civility
- modesty
- meekness
- courtesy
- politesse
- submissiveness
- appropriateness
- respectability
- geniality
- goodness
- propriety
- decency
- respectfulness
- correctness
- hospitality
- acceptability
- friendliness
- suitability
- affability
- rightness
- genteelness
- dutifulness
- kindness
- fitness
- seemliness
- gracefulness
- grace
- cordiality
- suitableness
- decorousness
- respectableness
- felicitousness
3
as in irrelevance
the quality or state of not having anything to do with the matter at hand the impertinence of that issue renders any discussion of it a waste of our time Synonyms & Similar Words
- irrelevance
- inapplicability
- extraneousness
- inappropriateness
- inconsequentiality
- inaptness
- unsuitability
- unfitness
- immateriality
- insignificance
- emptiness
- meaninglessness
- pointlessness
- inanity
- uselessness
- inappositeness
- improperness
- inaneness
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- relevance
- connection
- applicability
- pertinence
- bearing
- materiality
- appropriateness
- relevancy
- importance
- suitability
- significance
- aptness
- fitness
- usefulness
- suitableness