Impudence
The quality of being shamelessly bold or disrespectful; audacity or insolence.
nounImpudence
The quality of being shamelessly bold or disrespectful; audacity or insolence.
nounImagine This
The boy was extremely impolite when he refused to dance with a girl who asked him onto the floor.
Sounds Like
im-PYOO-dens
Looks Like
impudent
Remember This
From Latin impudēns meaning 'not ashamed'; the root pud- relates to shame, which helps explain why impudence is connected to shameless behavior.
Other Forms
Connect With
audacity, insolence, impertinence, brazenness
Note
Impudence goes beyond simple rudeness; it implies a brazen disregard for others' feelings or norms. For subtler disrespect, consider insolence or impertinence.
Study Deeper
- Her impudence in interrupting the speaker shocked the audience.
- The student's impudence toward the teacher earned him a detention.
From Latin impudentia, from in- 'not' + pudēns 'ashamed' (from pudor 'shame').
ImPUDence: An imp who has no pudor (shame) acts with brazen audacity.
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Counterproductive
adjectiveHaving the opposite of the desired effect; actions or policies that hinder rather than help progress.
Chasten
verbTo discipline or punish in order to improve behavior or character.
Haughty
adjectiveArrogantly proud; having or showing an overbearing sense of one's own importance.
Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Insolence
nounBold, disrespectful impudence or attitude toward someone, especially toward authority.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling