backtalk
UK /ˈbæk.tɔːk/ · US /ˈbæk.tɔk/ noun, verb
Forms backtalks backtalking backtalked
- noun Verbal impudence or argumentative discourse, given in response. “Don't give me any backtalk; just go clean your room.”
- verb (transitive) To respond to in an aggressively disputatious, often sarcastic or insolent manner. “Peter was sent to detention for backtalking the teacher.”
Synonyms
backchat derision lip cheek sass rebuttal mouth off talk back sassing back talk mouth
Etymology
From back + talk.
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 — from the Wiktionary entry “backtalk”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details