Pertness.
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.