smartmouth
Back-talking young person
Smartmouth describes someone who makes clever, sarcastic, or impertinent remarks, or the remarks themselves: Don't smartmouth me, young man.
As a noun, a smartmouth is a person given to such talk.
The word carries a tone of disrespect toward authority—a teenager smartmouthing a parent, a suspect smartmouthing a cop.
Also spelled smart-mouth or smart mouth.
Insolent verbal response
- sassImpertinent verbal attitude
- lipMouth's outer edge
- cheekAudacity or facial side
- impudenceShameless boldness toward superiors
insolence · impertinence · rudeness · insubordination · defiance · mouth · attitude · guff
Quick, cutting reply
- quipBrief, clever remark
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- riposteSwift clever reply
clapback · zinger · wisecrack · one-liner · snapback · counter · rebuttal · sally
Cutting, mocking commentary
- ironyMeaning opposite to words
- mockeryScornful ridicule or travesty
- derisionContemptuous mockery
- cynicismDistrust of human sincerity
ridicule · scorn · contempt · disdain · sneering · jeering · taunting · scoffing
Playful, teasing exchange
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
- quick-wittednessMental speed and cleverness
- sharpnessKeenness of edge, mind, or image
glibness · facetiousness · drollery · pithiness · verbal sparring · repartee
backtalk
Insolent verbal response
impudence · insolence · impertinence · rudeness · insubordination · defiance · mouth · attitude · guff · nerve
retort
Quick, cutting reply
riposte · clapback · zinger · wisecrack · one-liner · snapback · counter · rebuttal · sally · parry
snark
Cutting, mocking commentary
cynicism · ridicule · scorn · contempt · disdain · sneering · jeering · taunting · scoffing · razzing
banter
Playful, teasing exchange
- wordplayVerbal wit techniques
- clevernessMental quickness and skill
- quick-wittednessMental speed and cleverness
sharpness · glibness · facetiousness · drollery · pithiness · verbal sparring · repartee
acerbic
Sharp and biting
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
sharp · snarky · sardonic · tart · waspish · acid · barbed · stinging · scathing · venomous
- wisecrackerssmart aleck, smartass, smartypants, wisecracker, wise guy
smartmouthyes-man
Uncritical agreeable subordinate
bootlicker · sycophant · toady · doormat · pushover
smartmouthquiet type
Unassuming, reserved individual
wallflower · shrinking violet · reserved · soft-spoken · taciturn