impudent
Rude without shame
Impudent describes someone who shows a bold disrespect or lack of proper deference, especially toward authority figures or social superiors: an impudent child, an impudent remark.
The word suggests cheekiness or insolence rather than outright hostility—the impudent person knows the boundaries and crosses them anyway.
It's somewhat old-fashioned, now often used with a touch of amusement.
Offensively ill-mannered
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
- irreverentDisrespectful toward authority
- insolentBoldly rude and disrespectful
scoffing · derisive · mocking · disparaging · snide · sarcastic · discourteous · impolite
Openly resisting control
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
- contumaciousStubbornly rebellious toward authority
unruly · insolent · mutinous · refractory · obstreperous · willful · contrary · ungovernable
Lacking moral embarrassment
- boldCourageous and daring
- brashOffensively self-assertive
- unabashedFeeling no shame
- barefacedShamelessly bold or unconcealed
blatant · unapologetic · audacious · forward · presumptuous · cocky · overconfident · swaggering
Boldly disrespectful, often playfully
- sassyBoldly irreverent in manner
- pertBoldly cheeky
- mischievousPlayfully causing trouble
- playfulInclined toward fun
teasing · impish · roguish · smart-alecky · flippant · glib · arch · tongue-in-cheek
Newly made, not stale
- mouthyInclined to talk back
- snippyCurtly impatient in manner
- lippyRudely talkative
- smart-mouthedGiven to impertinent remarks
familiar · intrusive · meddlesome · officious · prying · nosy · overstepping · inappropriate
rude
Offensively ill-mannered
- contemptuousShowing open disrespect
- disdainfulShowing open contempt
- irreverentDisrespectful toward authority
insolent · scoffing · derisive · mocking · disparaging · snide · sarcastic · discourteous · impolite · uncivil
defiant
Openly resisting control
- rebelliousResisting authority or control
- disobedientRefusing to follow orders
- recalcitrantStubbornly resistant to control
contumacious · unruly · insolent · mutinous · refractory · obstreperous · willful · contrary · ungovernable · intractable
shameless
Lacking moral embarrassment
barefaced · blatant · unapologetic · audacious · forward · presumptuous · cocky · overconfident · swaggering · brass-necked
saucy
Boldly disrespectful, often playfully
- sassyBoldly irreverent in manner
- pertBoldly cheeky
- mischievousPlayfully causing trouble
playful · teasing · impish · roguish · smart-alecky · flippant · glib · arch · tongue-in-cheek · waggish
fresh
Newly made, not stale
smart-mouthed · familiar · intrusive · meddlesome · officious · prying · nosy · overstepping · inappropriate · ill-mannered
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- rudenessrude, discourtesy, impolite, rudeness, disrespect
- IM- wordsimmature, immobile, immune, immerse, immoral
- shamelessshameless, brazen, unabashed, barefaced, unapologetic
impudentrespectful
Showing proper regard
deferential · humble · meek · submissive · modest
impudentpolite
Showing good manners
courteous · mannerly · respectful · well-behaved · proper