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Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective impertinent contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of impertinent are intrusive, meddlesome, obtrusive, and officious. While all these words mean "given to thrusting oneself into the affairs of others," impertinent implies exceeding the bounds of propriety in showing interest or curiosity or in offering advice.

resented their impertinent interference

When can intrusive be used instead of impertinent?

The meanings of intrusive and impertinent largely overlap; however, intrusive implies a tactless or otherwise objectionable thrusting into others' affairs.

tried to be helpful without being intrusive

When would meddlesome be a good substitute for impertinent?

In some situations, the words meddlesome and impertinent are roughly equivalent. However, meddlesome stresses an annoying and usually prying interference in others' affairs.

a meddlesome landlord

In what contexts can obtrusive take the place of impertinent?

The synonyms obtrusive and impertinent are sometimes interchangeable, but obtrusive stresses improper or offensive conspicuousness of interfering actions.

expressed an obtrusive concern for his safety

When could officious be used to replace impertinent?

The words officious and impertinent are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, officious implies the offering of services or attentions that are unwelcome or annoying.

officious friends made the job harder

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of impertinent In the late Eighties, Ernst Jorgensen, then an executive at a BMG affiliate in Denmark, raised an impertinent question in an international meeting. Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 22 Oct. 2024 There this brilliant but bewildered scientist gets cornered by a plutocrat with impertinent questions. Alan Scherstuhl, Scientific American, 15 Oct. 2024 This should be said with a beatific bridal smile — the sincerity of which Miss Manners hopes your guests will be questioning for the rest of their rude and impertinent lives. Judith Martin, The Mercury News, 4 Oct. 2024 Starting out as a stand-up in her native Detroit and then getting her big break on Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in 1969, Tomlin, now 84, invented iconic characters — from Ernestine, an impertinent telephone operator, to Edith Ann, a precocious 5-year-old — both absurd and sweet but undeniably human. Jason Sheeler, Peoplemag, 30 May 2024 See All Example Sentences for impertinent
Recent Examples of Synonyms for impertinent
Adjective
  • Word to the wise: the end credits are more like a Marvel movie as they are interrupted by a longish extra scene that includes a special cast member, blues legend Buddy Guy, plus yet another musical number at the end of credits.
    Pete Hammond, Deadline, 10 Apr. 2025
  • Consulting with a financial advisor experienced in bear markets may also be wise.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • My question: Was there any way to have prevented this rude woman from stealing away all of my guests? GENTLE READER: Counter-questions: Did the boss and his wife drop the guests off before the emergency furniture move?
    Judith Martin, Sun Sentinel, 5 Apr. 2025
  • Since then, the stepmother has proved to be mean and rude on multiple occasions, the bride wrote.
    Rachel Raposas, People.com, 4 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • They’re beautifully designed and thoroughly approved—but quickly irrelevant.
    Vibhas Ratanjee, Forbes.com, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Wherever Detroit falls in the standings should be irrelevant Friday, though.
    Hunter Patterson, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • One chord appears to speak to the other, sounding almost impudent in their simplicity, equal parts ecstatic and heartbreakingly melancholic.
    Sam Davies, Rolling Stone, 10 Mar. 2025
  • In short, Moscow sees Montenegro as both strategically valuable and an impudent upstart that has thumbed its nose at the Russian bear while genuflecting before NATO and Washington.
    Edward P. Joseph, Foreign Affairs, 22 Dec. 2016
Adjective
  • One’s insolent, calling him lame and old, and the other affectedly infantile, but both are exhausting in their own way.
    Keith Phipps, Vulture, 16 Apr. 2025
  • The government, in an insolent filing on Sunday evening, rewrote that instruction.
    Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • From bold predictions about who's walking out with championship gold to sit-downs with WWE superstars on the verge of history, this preshow is serving as your all-access pass into the chaos, glory, and drama that makes WrestleMania the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment.
    Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 Apr. 2025
  • Also, the Fed must be free to move quickly to deploy bold strategies, such as its bond-buying campaign during the 2008 financial crisis and emergency lending measures during the COVID-19 recession of 2020, Conti-Brown said.
    Paul Davidson, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Again, an astute grader would undoubtedly catch your brazen attempt and ding you points accordingly.
    Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025
  • The boisterous comedian lights up the stage with sly wit and brazen confidence, conveying Moss’ righteous fury over being bottom of the office food chain.
    Patrick Ryan, USA Today, 1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
  • Isa Briones, who plays the cocky intern Dr. Trinity Santos, remembers Wyle’s note as a kind of challenge.
    Adam B. Vary, Variety, 9 Apr. 2025
  • Reprising the role of the cocky Naval aviator required the bravery of a real fighter pilot.
    Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 2 Apr. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Impertinent.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/impertinent. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.

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