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Insolent vs Surly - What's the difference?

insolent | surly | Related terms |

As adjectives the difference between insolent and surly

is that insolent is insulting in manner or words while surly is lordly, arrogant, supercilious.

As an adverb surly is

in an arrogant or supercilious manner.

insolent

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Insulting in manner or words.
  • Rude.
  • *
  • *:“I don't mean all of your friends—only a small proportion—which, however, connects your circle with that deadly, idle, brainless bunch—the insolent chatterers at the opera, the gorged dowagers,!”
  • Cheeky.

    • Synonyms

    * insulting: arrogant, bold, cocky, impudent * rude: disrespectful, impertinent, insubordinate, offensive * See also * See also

    Related terms

    * insolence * insolency * insolently

    External links

    * * * ----

    surly

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • (obsolete) Lordly, arrogant, supercilious.
  • Irritated, bad-tempered, unfriendly.
  • Threatening, menacing, gloomy.
    • The surly weather put us all in a bad mood.

    Adverb

    (er)
  • (obsolete) In an arrogant or supercilious manner.
  • * 1623 , , Julius Caesar , I.iii,
    • Against the Capitol I met a lion / Who glazed upon me, and went surly