Etymology PIE word *swé From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin īnsolēns (“unaccustomed, unwanted, unusual, immoderate, excessive, arrogant, insolent”), from in- (privative prefix) + solēns, present participle of solēre (“to be accustomed, to be wont”).
1
Insulting in manner or words, particularly in an arrogant or insubordinate manner.
Near-synonyms: arrogant, bold, cocky; see also Thesaurus:cheeky
2
Rude.
Near-synonyms: insubordinate, offensive; see also Thesaurus:arrogant
insolent behaviour
3 more examples
insolent child
insolent remark
“I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle, brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers,[…]the chlorotic squatters on huge yachts, the speed-mad fugitives from the furies of ennui, the neurotic victims of mental cirrhosus,[…]!”1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, chapter VI, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
Etymology PIE word *swé From Middle English, from Old French, from Latin īnsolēns (“unaccustomed, unwanted, unusual, immoderate, excessive, arrogant, insolent”), from in- (privative prefix) + solēns, present participle of solēre (“to be accustomed, to be wont”).
1
A person who is insolent.
What a way do you put yourself in miss! said the insolent.1748, [Samuel Richardson], “Letter LXXVIII”, in Clarissa. Or, The History of a Young Lady: […], volume (please specify |volume=I to VII), London: […] S[amuel] Richardson; [a]nd sold by John Osborn, […], →OCLC:
Diogenes Laertius reports that Diogenes was apt to take the identification with the dog at face value, as when he lifted his leg and relieved himself on a group of young insolents who teased him with a dog's bone […]2010, Louisa Shea, The Cynic Enlightenment: Diogenes in the Salon, page 7: