noun

insolence

IHN-suh-luhns

noun

Rude, disrespectful, or arrogant behavior, especially toward someone owed respect.

"The teacher wouldn't tolerate any insolence from the students."

"His insolence toward the judge nearly got him held in contempt."

How to Use Insolence

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBold, disrespectful rudeness, especially toward someone in authority.

Common pairings

sheer insolence insolence toward

insolenced past tense, insolences plural, insolences singular

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Can you complete this real example?

The teacher wouldn't tolerate any _____ from the students.

From Latin insolentia, related to insolens ("unaccustomed, arrogant").

hence fence Pence whence thence Spence absence science silence defence essence Terence