Impolitely: meaning, definitions and examples

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impolitely

[ɪmˈpɒlətli ]

Definitions

^{Context #1 | Adverb}

speak

In a rude or disrespectful manner; not showing good manners or courtesy.

Synonyms

discourteously, offensively, rudely.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
impolitely	Use when someone is not displaying proper manners or respect, but not necessarily with a strong negative intention. It might be due to carelessness or lack of awareness. She answered the question impolitely, interrupting the speaker without thought. He impolitely ignored the guests due to his preoccupation.
rudely	Best for describing actions that are straightforwardly disrespectful or impolite, often reflecting a lack of manners or consideration for others. The term is neutral to slightly negative. He rudely interrupted the presenter during the meeting. She rudely slammed the door in my face without apologizing.
discourteously	This is suitable for situations where someone's actions show a deliberate lack of courtesy or respect. The behavior is more intentional than impolite acts. The waiter acted discourteously by walking away while I was ordering. He discourteously cut in line without consideration for others.
offensively	Use when someone's behavior is not only rude but also hurtful or insulting. This word is appropriate for strong negative intentions or when the actions are meant to provoke. She spoke offensively about his appearance, making him feel embarrassed. He touched on a sensitive topic offensively, knowing it would upset her.

Examples of usage

He impolitely interrupted the speaker.
She impolitely ignored his request.
They impolitely criticized her work.

^{Context #2 | Adverb}

act

In a way that is not courteous or considerate of others; lacking in politeness.

Synonyms

crassly, disrespectfully, uncivilly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
impolitely	This word is suitable when someone is behaving with a lack of manners or politeness, especially in social settings. It is a general term for rude behavior. He impolitely interrupted the speaker during the meeting
uncivilly	This word is suitable for describing a lack of societal norms and refined behavior, often in formal settings. It is similar to 'impolitely' but more formal. He behaved uncivilly towards the guests at the formal dinner, ignoring customary greetings
disrespectfully	This term is appropriate when the behavior shows a lack of respect towards someone or something. It can be used in both personal and professional contexts. The student spoke disrespectfully to the teacher, which resulted in detention
crassly	Use this word when someone is acting in a way that shows gross insensitivity or a lack of refinement and intelligence. It often implies an element of vulgarity. She crassly dismissed her colleague's ideas without considering them

Examples of usage

He impolitely pushed past the line.
She impolitely refused to share the information.
They impolitely laughed at her mistake.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

The word originates from the Middle French 'impoli,' which means rude or ill-mannered.
It combines the prefix 'im-' meaning 'not' with 'polite,' which comes from the Latin 'politus,' meaning polished or elegant.
In usage, it has historically denoted behavior that lacks social grace or etiquette since the 14th century.

Psychology

Studies show that children often learn polite behavior through modeling, meaning they mimic the actions of adults, so impoliteness can be learned as well.
Being treated impolitely can lead to increased stress and a negative emotional state in social interactions.
People often respond negatively to impolite behavior by creating mental barriers, making future communication more challenging.

Cultural Perspectives

Cultural norms influence what is considered impolite. For example, making direct eye contact may be seen as rude in some cultures, while polite in others.
In some societies, indirect communication is favored, making direct criticism or impolite remarks socially unacceptable.
The concept of 'face' in various cultures illustrates how impolite behavior can damage social standing or relationships.

Literature

Many classic novels depict characters who are impolite as antagonists, showcasing how rudeness can drive conflict and plot.
Shakespeare often explored themes of politeness and impoliteness, with characters using both to achieve their goals in plays like 'Hamlet' and 'Othello.'
Modern literature frequently addresses impolite behavior as a reflection of societal issues, creating dialogue around respect and communication.

Pop Culture

Television shows often use impolite characters to create humor or conflict, highlighting our social expectations of manners.
Social media has amplified the impact of impolite behavior, as online comments can be far more abrupt than face-to-face interactions.
The term 'keyboard warrior' has emerged to describe those who are often impolite online but may not behave the same way in person.

Translations

Translations of the word "impolitely" in other languages:

🇵🇹 grosseiramente

🇮🇳 असभ्यतापूर्वक

🇩🇪 unhöflich

🇮🇩 dengan kasar

🇺🇦 неввічливо

🇵🇱 niegrzecznie

🇯🇵 無礼に

🇫🇷 impoliment

🇪🇸 groseramente

🇹🇷 kaba bir şekilde

🇰🇷 무례하게

🇸🇦 بوقاحة

🇨🇿 nezdvořile

🇸🇰 nezdvorilo

🇨🇳 无礼地

🇸🇮 neprijazno

🇮🇸 ókurteislega

🇰🇿 дөрекі түрде

🇬🇪 უხეშად

🇦🇿 kobud şəkildə

🇲🇽 groseramente

Word Frequency Rank

At position #40,744, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.

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40741 politicise
40742 twangy
40743 quickstep
40744 impolitely
40745 coltish
40746 corrugate
40747 simians
...