How to Use uppity in a Sentence

uppity

adjective
  • Don't get uppity with me.
  • He was called a coward, a traitor, a dupe, and an uppity N-word.
    — Jonathan Eig, Slate Magazine, 26 Sep. 2017
  • Historically, there’s always been a steep price to pay for being uppity or not knowing one’s place.
    — C. Nicole Mason, The Root, 1 July 2017
  • This upset Japanese firms, which were not accustomed to dealing with uppity young academics.
    — Takashi Mochizuki, WSJ, 2 Nov. 2018
  • Even the Hot Dog and Sausage Council warned against getting too uppity where frankfurters are concerned.
    — Joseph Gerth, The Courier-Journal, 19 July 2017
  • Forty years later, trashing is still progressives’ favorite tactic to deploy against uppity women.
    — Laurie Penny, Longreads, 29 Mar. 2018
  • Sticking it to uppity black millionaires has been good for business since the first cretin came up with the lie that the first black president wasn't born in this country, and well before that even.
    — Robert Klemko, SI.com, 5 June 2018
  • Louisiana is almost two thirds white, and two thirds of House members who voted Monday supported monuments that were put up to intimidate black people who entertained uppity thoughts.
    — Jarvis Deberry, NOLA.com, 17 May 2017
  • Marylin McGinnis seems too young to play a formidable elderly woman but gives the part suitable bite, and Amy Hughes shines in two roles — a no-nonsense nurse and an uppity dance instructor.
    — Matthew J. Palm, orlandosentinel.com, 12 July 2019
  • The Party will not tolerate Hong Kong’s brash, uppity independence until 2047.
    — Nr Editors, National Review, 20 June 2019
  • Both Barack and Michelle Obama have been publicly chided by conservatives for being uppity, or for believing that they and their children are entitled to the same rights, opportunities and privileges as whites.
    — C. Nicole Mason, The Root, 1 July 2017
  • Jim Parsons, too, understands the assignment as Rose's gold-digging mother, as do our adorably charming Jack Dawson (Rousouli) and hilariously uppity Cal (John Riddle).
    — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'uppity.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Last Updated: