insolence

/ˈɪnsələns/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɪnsələns/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈin(t)-s(ə-)lən(t)s/ (ame, mw)

insolence — 名詞

1. behaviour or language that is deliberately rude and shows no respect for someone

1.名詞B2
釋義

無禮；傲慢

故意不尊重他人的言行

behaviour or language that is deliberately rude and shows no respect for someone, especially a person in a position of authority such as a teacher, parent, or boss.

例句

The teacher warned Suki that she would not tolerate any insolence in her classroom.

老師警告 Suki，她不會容忍課堂上的任何無禮行為。

uncountable: tolerate insolence

Boris was dismissed from his job for insolence toward his supervisor.

Boris 因對主管態度傲慢而被解僱。

insolence toward [person]

同義詞
  • rudeness

    Broader and less formal; rudeness can be unintentional, while insolence implies deliberate disrespect

  • impertinence

    Slightly more formal; suggests overstepping boundaries rather than full disrespect

  • disrespect

    More general; insolence is a specific form of disrespect that is openly defiant

反義詞
  • respect

    Showing proper regard for authority or another person's position

  • courtesy

    Polite behaviour that is the opposite of rude defiance

文法句型

insolence + toward/to + person

show insolence

tolerate insolence

用法筆記

Often used in formal complaints or disciplinary contexts. The person showing insolence is usually of lower rank or status than the person they are insolent toward.

常見錯誤

❌His insolence toward the police officer got him a ticket.
✅His insolence toward the police officer got him arrested.
💡While possible with a ticket, 'insolence' typically describes more serious or defiant disrespect, not just minor rudeness.

2. a particular rude remark, gesture, or action that shows defiance and a lack of r

2.名詞B2
釋義

傲慢言行

某一具體的無禮舉動或言詞

a particular rude remark, gesture, or action that shows defiance and a lack of respect — for example, talking back to a judge or deliberately ignoring a direct order.

例句

Minh's insolence — walking out of the meeting while the director was speaking — shocked everyone in the room.

Minh 的無禮舉止——在董事發言時逕自離開會議室——震驚了在場所有人。

countable: an insolence = a specific insolent action

Fumi later apologised for the insolence of interrupting the CEO during the quarterly briefing.

Fumi 後來為自己在季度匯報時打斷執行長的傲慢言行道歉。

同義詞
  • impertinence

    Similarly refers to a specific disrespectful act, but often milder

  • affront

    More formal; emphasizes the sense of personal offence caused

反義詞
  • apology

    The opposite action — an attempt to repair respect rather than break it

文法句型

a/some insolence

an insolence

用法筆記

This countable use (an insolence / insolences) is less common than the uncountable sense 1. It refers to a specific act rather than a general attitude. Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 describes a pattern of behaviour ('He was fired for insolence'), while sense 2 points to one particular incident ('That comment was an insolence').