Word
insolence
Phoneticsin·so·lence, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈɪnsəɫəns/
UK/ˈɪnsələns/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. rude and disrespectful behaviour toward someone you should respect, like a teacher or a boss.
n. disrespectful behaviour that openly shows contempt for authority or accepted social rules. Often implies deliberate defiance rather than accidental rudeness.
Examples
“The teacher punishes the boy for his insolence.”
“The manager warns the new assistant that answering customers with insolence will cost him his job.”
“The committee tolerated his questions but drew the line at his insolence toward the chairwoman, whose authority he openly mocked.”
Examples
simple
“The teacher punishes the boy for his insolence.”
contextual
“The manager warns the new assistant that answering customers with insolence will cost him his job.”
complex
“The committee tolerated his questions but drew the line at his insolence toward the chairwoman, whose authority he openly mocked.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “insolence” in context.
Verb
01. bristle at insolence
“The elderly professor bristled at the insolence of his students.”
verb + prep + noun
02. fume at insolence
“The manager fumed at the insolence of the customer's demands.”
verb + prep + noun
03. insolence infuriates
“His constant insolence infuriates everyone in the office.”
noun + verb
04. insolence offends
“Such insolence offends both teachers and fellow students alike.”
noun + verb
05. overlook insolence
“She decided to overlook his insolence because he was under great stress.”
verb + noun
06. punish insolence
“The captain punished insolence from junior soldiers with extra duties.”
verb + noun
Adjective
07. casual insolence
“Her casual insolence towards senior staff quickly damaged her reputation.”
adj + noun
08. intolerable insolence
“His intolerable insolence in court angered the judge immediately.”
adj + noun
Noun
09. act of insolence
“Talking back to the judge was an act of insolence.”
noun + prep + noun
10. display of insolence
“Rolling her eyes was a clear display of insolence.”
noun + prep + noun
11. brook no insolence from anyone
“Our old headmaster brooked no insolence from anyone in his school.”
12. have the insolence to ask
“She had the insolence to ask for a promotion after only a week.”
Etymology
From Middle French insolence, from Latin īnsolentia.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/insolence