talking back
Challenging an authority
Talking back is responding to an authority figure—parent, teacher, boss—in a way that challenges or defies them.
The term frames the response as disrespectful rather than legitimate disagreement: Don't you talk back to me!
What counts as talking back depends on the speaker's power; the phrase is rarely applied upward.
Insolent verbal response
- sassImpertinent verbal attitude
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
- disrespectLack of regard
impudence · cheek · insolence · impertinence · mouthiness · sauciness · lip · attitude
Quick, cutting reply
- comebackRecovery after decline
- rejoinderReply to a reply
- rebuttalFormal response disputing claims
- counterargumentPoint challenging another's position
riposte · argument · dispute · disagreement · challenge · objection · quarrel · clash
Obnoxiously clever person
- whippersnapperPresumptuous young person
- mouthyInclined to talk back
- sassyBoldly irreverent in manner
- lippyRudely talkative
fresh · smart-mouthed · wise guy · brat · precocious · cheeky · snippy · flippant
Conveying one's inner world
- voiceSound from throat
- standing groundRefusing to yield position
- convictionFirmly held belief
- empowermentGaining authority or confidence
directness · candor · forthrightness · self-advocacy · confidence · boldness · outspokenness · firmness
backtalk
Insolent verbal response
- sassImpertinent verbal attitude
- insubordinationDefying workplace authority
- disobedienceRefusal to follow orders
disrespect · impudence · cheek · insolence · impertinence · mouthiness · sauciness · lip · attitude · noncompliance
retort
Quick, cutting reply
counterargument · riposte · argument · dispute · disagreement · challenge · objection · quarrel · clash · conflict
smart-aleck
Obnoxiously clever person
- whippersnapperPresumptuous young person
- mouthyInclined to talk back
- sassyBoldly irreverent in manner
lippy · fresh · smart-mouthed · wise guy · brat · precocious · cheeky · snippy · flippant · snarky
self-expression
Conveying one's inner world
- voiceSound from throat
- standing groundRefusing to yield position
- convictionFirmly held belief
empowerment · directness · candor · forthrightness · self-advocacy · confidence · boldness · outspokenness · firmness · articulation
- teen behavioreye rolling, backtalk, door slamming, moodiness, mood swings
- backtalkbacktalk, sass, lip, backchat, mouthing off
- acting outtantrums, tantrum, meltdowns, pouting, whining
- bad mannersrudeness, impoliteness, discourtesy, incivility, disrespect
- defiancedefiance, disobedience, insubordination, noncompliance, rebellion
- misbehaviormisbehave, misbehavior, mischief, misconduct, naughty
talking backobeying
Following directives given
complying · submitting · acquiescing · deferring · agreeing
talking backkeeping quiet
Remaining silent
saying nothing · shutting up · keeping mum · not responding · holding one's peace
back, talk, backing, talks, talking, speaking, talkative, backed, talker