talk back
Reply with attitude
Talk back is to reply defiantly or rudely, especially to someone in authority: Don't talk back to your mother.
The phrase implies insubordination—a child talking back to a parent, an employee to a boss.
As a noun, talkback refers to a communication system allowing two-way conversation, particularly in broadcasting studios.
Bold, offensive disrespect
- impertinenceRude disregard for propriety
- rudenessDisrespectful social behavior
- disrespectLack of regard
- contemptDisdainful disregard
disdain · irreverence · cheekiness · audacity · brazenness · impudence · flippancy · scorn
Recovery after decline
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- riposteSwift clever reply
- replyVerbal or written answer
- responseAnswer to stimulus
counter · repartee · quip · clapback · rebuttal · answer · counterargument · snappy reply
Defying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
- noncomplianceFailure to follow requirements
contrariness · obstinacy · recalcitrance · contumacy · rebelliousness · opposition · dissent · protest
insolence
Bold, offensive disrespect
- impertinenceRude disregard for propriety
- rudenessDisrespectful social behavior
- disrespectLack of regard
contempt · disdain · irreverence · cheekiness · audacity · brazenness · impudence · flippancy · scorn · dismissiveness
comeback
Recovery after decline
response · counter · repartee · quip · clapback · rebuttal · answer · counterargument · snappy reply · wisecrack
insubordination
Defying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- rebellionDefiance of established power
- resistanceCapacity to withstand force
noncompliance · contrariness · obstinacy · recalcitrance · contumacy · rebelliousness · opposition · dissent · protest · challenge
sassy
Boldly irreverent in manner
smart-alecky · snippy · pert · flip · fresh · wise · brash · cocky · smart-mouthed · lippy
- backtalksass, lip, backchat, mouthing off, mouth off
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
- baby monitorsvideo monitor, audio monitor, portable monitor, night vision camera, two-way audio
- speaking upspeak up, speak out, speak freely, voice, give voice
talk backsay nothing
Refrain from speaking
keep quiet · hold one's tongue · hold one's peace · bite one's tongue · keep mum
back, talk, backward, talking, talkative, talker, backs, talked, talkers