dumb insolence
Wordless contempt shown
Dumb insolence is defiance expressed through silence, posture, or facial expression rather than words—obeying the letter of an order while radiating contempt.
The phrase comes from military and school contexts, where subordinates must comply but find ways to communicate disrespect without speaking: He stood at attention with perfect dumb insolence, staring just past the sergeant's ear.
The offense lies precisely in its deniability.
- stonewallingDeliberately refusing to respond
- eye-rollingExpressive gesture of annoyance
- foot-draggingDeliberate slowness or resistance
- muteWithout voice or sound
- blank faceExpression revealing nothing
non-compliance · silent protest · passive resistance · smirking · heavy sigh · power struggle · power play · military discipline · indignation · raised eyebrows · pursed lips · silent treatment · cold shoulder · shrugging · glaring · sighing · avoidance · resentment
dumb insolencetalking back
Rude reply to authority
verbal abuse · mouthing off · insubordination · shouting match · arguing
dumb insolenceobedience
Compliance with authority
deference · submission · subservience · respect · reverence
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