impudent

adjective

im·​pu·​dent ˈim-pyə-dənt How to pronounce impudent (audio)
Synonyms of impudentnext
1
: marked by contemptuous or cocky boldness or disregard of others : insolent
2
obsolete : lacking modesty
impudently adverb

Synonyms

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Examples of impudent in a Sentence

As in the sixties, being young then was in itself an empowerment; writing under Harding and Coolidge was impudent fun. — John Updike, New Yorker, 25 Apr. 1988
Or it was he who was bruiting it about, with his princely dark head thrown back in impudent laughter, that he was going to be king. — Joseph Heller, God Knows, 1984
When I refused to be the child they knew and accepted me to be, I was called impudent and my muteness sullenness. — Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, 1969
The boy was punished for his impudent behavior. the guest's impudent inquiries about the cost of just about everything we had in the house
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
One chord appears to speak to the other, sounding almost impudent in their simplicity, equal parts ecstatic and heartbreakingly melancholic. — Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2025 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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin impudent-, impudens, from in- + pudent-, pudens, present participle of pudēre to feel shame

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of impudent was in the 14th century

Rhymes for impudent

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Cite this Entry

“Impudent.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impudent. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

impudent

adjective
im·​pu·​dent ˈim-pyəd-ənt How to pronounce impudent (audio)
: showing scorn for or disregard of others : insolent, disrespectful
impudently adverb

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