IMPERTINENT Synonyms: 196 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How does the adjective 'impertinent' contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impertinent are intrusive , meddlesome , obtrusive , and officious . While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice. // resented their impertinent interference

Q: When can 'intrusive' be used instead of 'impertinent'?

The meanings of intrusive and impertinent largely overlap; however, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs. // tried to be helpful without being intrusive

Q: When would 'meddlesome' be a good substitute for 'impertinent'?

In some situations, the words meddlesome and impertinent are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs. // a meddlesome landlord

Q: In what contexts can 'obtrusive' take the place of 'impertinent'?

The synonyms obtrusive and impertinent are sometimes interchangeable, but obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions. // expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

Q: When could 'officious' be used to replace 'impertinent'?

The words officious and impertinent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying. // officious friends made the job harder

impertinent

adjective

(ˌ)im-ˈpər-tə-nənt

Definition of impertinent

as in impudent

displaying or marked by rude boldness the impertinent child had a smart answer for everything

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in rude

showing a lack of manners or consideration for others impertinent salesmen who telephone people during the dinner hour

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in irrelevant

not having anything to do with the matter at hand your résumé needlessly lists skills that are impertinent to the job for which you are applying

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective impertinent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impertinent are intrusive, meddlesome, obtrusive, and officious. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

When can intrusive be used instead of impertinent?

The meanings of intrusive and impertinent largely overlap; however, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

When would meddlesome be a good substitute for impertinent?

In some situations, the words meddlesome and impertinent are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

In what contexts can obtrusive take the place of impertinent?

The synonyms obtrusive and impertinent are sometimes interchangeable, but obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

When could officious be used to replace impertinent?

The words officious and impertinent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

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 impertinent Every player was given a number and slips of paper and wrote impertinent questions intended for each of the others. — Michael Schulman, New Yorker, 15 Dec. 2025 For three long weeks that began to seem rude or impertinent, as if the Prize hadn’t been announced, as if a king and queen weren’t waiting for his answer, Dylan said nothing about the award. — Literary Hub, 28 Oct. 2025 Questions about the overheating of the American economy were brushed aside as impertinent. — Arancha González Laya, Foreign Affairs, 12 May 2025 There this brilliant but bewildered scientist gets cornered by a plutocrat with impertinent questions. — Alan Scherstuhl, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for impertinent

Recent Examples of Synonyms for impertinent

Adjective

Maradona, on the other hand, was a charismatic populist, a scalawag from a shantytown, irrepressible and impudent.

— Ishaan Tharoor, New Yorker, 16 July 2026
Mantello wasn’t being impudent.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

Definition of impudent

Adjective

Totally ignoring the humanity of both worker and customer is rude, and yet both parties are interested in getting on with whatever the transaction is.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 25 Aug. 2026
When Hank and Peggy meet a new family who has moved into the neighborhood, the Laotian Souphanousinphones, Hank immediately dislikes the father, Kahn, who is abrasive, competitive, and often rude.

— Jordana Rosenfeld, Encyclopedia Britannica, 24 Aug. 2026

Definition of rude

Adjective

No one explicitly bans caffeine or alcohol, but after days of obsessing over my biomarkers, both begin to seem entirely irrelevant.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 23 Aug. 2026
Exceptions whose labor powers one of the most profitable storytelling machines in the world, while their mental needs are treated as inconvenient or irrelevant.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of irrelevant

Adjective

These cities make sense 🧳 ➤ Shedeur Sanders is wiser in Year 2 of Browns QB competition.

— Jim Reineking, USA Today, 20 Aug. 2026
In addition to playing in a more social and less competitive (skill-wise) genre, Jackbox is offering lower-spec games than its AAA competition.

— Jennifer Maas, Variety, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of wise

Adjective

That meant going their own way, being a little insolent and being arrogant.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026
In the 18th century, lusty also meant insolent, which might have conveyed Anderson’s frustrations with Dina’s unwillingness to accept his authority over her.

— Carolyn Zola, The Conversation, 11 June 2026

Definition of insolent

Adjective

The channel’s support for Iran’s opposition turned more brazen in December, when the Islamic Republic faced another wave of demonstrations across the country.

— Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Last year, a similarly brazen theft at the Louvre in Paris, France, put international attention on museum security.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of brazen

Adjective

By the time Hacks reached its fifth and final season, Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) was still Deborah Vance — big earrings, bold looks and all.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 20 Aug. 2026
Traditional toile patterns tend to tap bold blues and greens, but the chocolate hue is a decidedly autumnal shade.

— Maria Sabella, Architectural Digest, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of bold

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“Impertinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impertinent. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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