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

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

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

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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

How does the adjective insolent differ from other similar words?

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of insolent

Adjective

The movie’s startling originality is in its spirit, its insolent ironies. —

Richard Brody, New Yorker, 30 July 2025 One’s insolent, calling him lame and old, and the other affectedly infantile, but both are exhausting in their own way. —

Keith Phipps, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025 Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish. —

Mike Miller, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025 Dickinson’s Samuel is an intriguing, insolent magnet from the start. —

Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 24 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for insolent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for insolent

Adjective

His first goal was pretty enough, an inch-perfect sidefoot just inside Donnarumma’s far post, but his second was a work of impudent art.

— Liam Twomey, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026
Gemma reluctantly agrees to rebuild her impudent robot in a new body, and the sequel ends with an explosive showdown between Amelia and M3GAN, who nearly dies in a noble attempt to save Gemma and her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).

— Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 29 June 2025

Definition of impudent

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“Insolent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/insolent. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.

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