impudence

noun

im·​pu·​dence ˈim-pyə-dən(t)s How to pronounce impudence (audio)
: the quality or state of being impudent

Examples of impudence in a Sentence

my mother would not tolerate impudence from any of us their impudence irritated everyone at the wedding reception
Recent Examples on the Web Such calls for regulatory actions against short sellers are all based on the assumption that short selling is nefarious — that daring to take a negative view of a company’s stock is tantamount to market manipulation, especially if the short sellers have the impudence to publicize their viewpoint. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2023 For many enslaved people, a mistress’s complaint of impudence could end in a beating. Cynthia Greenlee, Smithsonian Magazine, 10 Jan. 2023 Winston Churchill, whose fiery resolve and puckish impudence led many to embrace him as an inspiring, authentic, if imperfect, leader, never set out to become an accomplished artist. Milton Esterow, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2022 Tenacity empowered Warhol to resubmit it a few months later to an elite summer group exhibition at the Arts and Crafts Center of Pittsburgh, where its impudence met an audience ready to eschew the normative and embrace the future. Natasha Gural, Forbes, 3 Oct. 2022 Over dinner, the report of my impudence earned mild punishment from my mom and a smile from my dad, who liked Ol’ Blue Eyes. Mike Kerrigan, WSJ, 29 July 2022 At the outset, Isabelle is confused more than disbelieving when Joan (Mikaela Rae Macias) interrupts her teenage impudence and confides these visions to her mother. David L. Coddon, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Apr. 2022 Hathaway's attempts at theatrical impudence get swatted down by thinkpiece-y dialogue. Darren Franich, EW.com, 28 Feb. 2022 Anderson’s nearly cinema-destroying impudence contrasts with Tarantino’s fan-boy romanticism in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Armond White, National Review, 14 Jan. 2022

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'impudence.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of impudence was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near impudence

Cite this Entry

“Impudence.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/impudence. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

impudence

noun
im·​pu·​dence ˈim-pyəd-ən(t)s How to pronounce impudence (audio)
: impudent behavior or speech : insolence, disrespect

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