smartmouthed
Quick with backtalk
Smartmouthed describes someone who talks back in a clever, disrespectful way—offering sarcastic retorts or impertinent remarks rather than deferring to authority: Don't get smartmouthed with me, young man.
The term carries a note of irritation from the person on the receiving end.
Also spelled smart-mouthed.
Boldly irreverent in manner
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
- impudentDisrespectfully bold
- impertinentRudely presumptuous
- brazenShamelessly bold
mouthy · lippy · bold · audacious · brash · nervy · fresh · flippant
Mockingly critical in tone
- sardonicGrimly mocking
- cuttingDividing via sharp edge
- bitingHarshly critical or cold
- causticChemically burning; bitterly mocking
acerbic · snide · mocking · scathing · derisive · cynical · mordant · barbed
Showing mental quickness
- quick-wittedFast at thinking
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- quippyGiven to witty remarks
- banteringLight, playful teasing
glib · facetious · wisecracking · droll · playful · humorous · jokey · punning
Resisting authority or control
- contraryOpposed in nature
- obstinateFirmly refusing to yield
- willfulIntentionally unyielding
- headstrongStubbornly self-willed
backtalk · uncooperative · resistant · recalcitrant · oppositional · challenging · disobedient · noncompliant
sassy
Boldly irreverent in manner
- cheekyPlayfully disrespectful
- impudentDisrespectfully bold
- impertinentRudely presumptuous
brazen · mouthy · lippy · bold · audacious · brash · nervy · fresh · flippant · pert
snarky
Mockingly critical in tone
caustic · acerbic · snide · mocking · scathing · derisive · cynical · mordant · barbed · sharp-tongued
clever
Showing mental quickness
- quick-wittedFast at thinking
- sharpFine-edged, or astute
- quippyGiven to witty remarks
bantering · glib · facetious · wisecracking · droll · playful · humorous · jokey · punning · jesting
rebellious
Resisting authority or control
headstrong · backtalk · uncooperative · resistant · recalcitrant · oppositional · challenging · disobedient · noncompliant · belligerent
smartmouthedrespectful
Showing proper regard
deferential · meek · polite · humble · courteous