back-chatting
Giving lip disrespectfully
Back-chatting is talking back to someone in authority—giving cheeky, impertinent, or argumentative replies when compliance is expected.
Primarily British: Stop back-chatting and do as you're told.
The noun is back-chat: I won't tolerate any back-chat from you.
Americans more often say talking back or giving lip.
Recovery after decline
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- riposteSwift clever reply
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- replyVerbal or written answer
counter · rebuttal · clapback · quip · wisecrack · response · counterargument · rebuff
Lack of regard
- impertinenceRude disregard for propriety
- cheekinessLighthearted disrespect
- impudenceShameless boldness toward superiors
- rudenessDisrespectful social behavior
lip · sass · mouth · audacity · brazenness · irreverence · contempt · disdain
Mockingly critical in tone
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
- flippantCarelessly disrespectful
- sarcasticMockingly insincere in tone
- saucyBoldly disrespectful, often playfully
pert · mouthy · smart-alecky · lippy · snippy · cocky · brassy · fresh
Defying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
- contumacyObstinate resistance to authority
recalcitrance · contrariness · disregard · opposition · obstinacy · stubbornness · willfulness · unruliness
comeback
Recovery after decline
reply · counter · rebuttal · clapback · quip · wisecrack · response · counterargument · rebuff · parry
disrespect
Lack of regard
- impertinenceRude disregard for propriety
- cheekinessLighthearted disrespect
- impudenceShameless boldness toward superiors
rudeness · lip · sass · mouth · audacity · brazenness · irreverence · contempt · disdain · insubordination
snarky
Mockingly critical in tone
saucy · pert · mouthy · smart-alecky · lippy · snippy · cocky · brassy · fresh · bold
insubordination
Defying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
contumacy · recalcitrance · contrariness · disregard · opposition · obstinacy · stubbornness · willfulness · unruliness · rebelliousness
back-chattingobeying
Following directives given
complying · deferring · acquiescing · submitting · yielding
back-chattingbiting one's tongue
Deliberately not speaking up
keeping quiet · saying nothing · shutting up · zipping it · keeping mum
back, chat, backchat, back-chat, chatting, chatted, chats, chatter, chatty