Synonyms:
| boldness, | forwardness, | liveliness, | sprightliness. |
| briskness, | impertinence, | sauciness, |
| flippancy, | impudence, | smartness, |
Liveliness and sprightliness are pleasant and commendable; smartness is a limited and showy acuteness or shrewdness, usually with unfavorable suggestion; pertness and sauciness are these qualities overdone, and regardless of the respect due to superiors. Impertinence and impudence may be gross and stupid; pertness and sauciness are always vivid and keen. Compare [IMPUDENCE].
Antonyms:
| bashfulness, | demureness, | diffidence, | humility, | modesty, | shyness. |
[272]
PERVERSE.
Synonyms:
| contrary, | froward, | petulant, | untoward, |
| factious, | intractable, | stubborn, | wayward, |
| fractious, | obstinate, | ungovernable, | wilful. |