impertinently
impertinently — adverb
1. in a way that is intentionally rude or cheeky, especially when speaking to or de
in a way that is intentionally rude or cheeky, especially when speaking to or dealing with someone who deserves polite treatment because of their age, position, or authority
'Stop telling me what to do,' Tunde said impertinently to his older sister.
speak impertinently to [sb] — direct speech pattern
Maeve walked away impertinently after her aunt asked her to help with dinner.
walk away impertinently — non-verbal response to a request
Luca grinned impertinently at the guard who told him to wait outside the gate.
Jack laughed impertinently when the principal asked the class to sit down.
The intern replied impertinently to the manager's question about the missing file.
- rudely
more general term; lacks the nuance of targeting someone who deserves respect
- insolently
stronger, implying open contempt; more intense than 'impertinently'
- disrespectfully
broader in use; can describe any lack of respect, not just through speech
- cheekily
less formal, lighter in tone; often suggests playful rather than hostile rudeness
- respectfully
showing proper regard for someone's position or feelings
- politely
behaving in a socially correct and courteous way
- deferentially
showing respectful submission to someone's authority
用法筆記
Common in written narrative and reported speech rather than casual conversation. Most often modifies verbs of speaking (say, reply, answer) or non-verbal actions (grin, laugh, shrug). Frequently appears with the preposition 'to' indicating the person being addressed.