In this synonym question, choose the word that is closest in meaning to the adjective "INSOLENT".

Introduction / Context:
Synonym questions check whether you know the precise meaning of a word and can match it with another word that carries almost the same sense. The word insolent is often used in descriptions of behaviour that is disrespectful or offensively bold, especially towards authority figures such as teachers, parents, or supervisors. Selecting the correct synonym requires you to connect insolent with its core idea rather than with any extreme or unrelated associations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The target word is INSOLENT.
• The options are DISTASTEFUL, IMPATIENT, DIABOLIC, RUDE.
• The question belongs to the vocabulary section of an English exam.
• We must choose the option that conveys the same negative behavioural quality as insolent.

Concept / Approach:
Insolent describes a person who shows a lack of respect in speech or behaviour, often in a bold or shameless way. It is very close in meaning to rude, which suggests impolite or offensive behaviour. The other options describe different concepts: distasteful means unpleasant or offensive to the senses or taste, impatient means lacking patience, and diabolic or diabolic refers to something extremely evil. Only rude focuses on disrespectful manner, which mirrors the central meaning of insolent.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Restate the meaning of insolent as boldly disrespectful or impudently rude.Step 2: Compare this sense with each option.Step 3: Distasteful refers to something that one does not like or finds offensive to taste or moral sense but does not directly describe behaviour towards others.Step 4: Impatient refers to someone who cannot wait calmly or gets annoyed easily, which is different from open disrespect.Step 5: Diabolic or diabolic suggests something evil or devilish, which is much stronger than the idea of rudeness.Step 6: Rude refers directly to impolite, discourteous, or disrespectful behaviour, which matches insolent very closely.

Verification / Alternative Check:
Consider example sentences. An insolent student answered the teacher back rudely can almost be rewritten as A rude student answered the teacher back. In both sentences the focus is on disrespect. If you substitute distasteful, impatient, or diabolic, the sentence becomes strange or changes meaning. For instance, an impatient student answered the teacher back describes a different attitude. This simple substitution test confirms that rude is the correct synonym for insolent in exam contexts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Distasteful talks about things, actions, or remarks that cause dislike or moral offence but it does not label the speaker as inherently disrespectful. Impatient focuses on a lack of patience, not on how one speaks to or treats others. Diabolic or diabolic is far stronger and refers to devilish wickedness rather than ordinary rudeness. None of these words captures the idea of cheeky, impudent, or disrespectful behaviour that insolent conveys.

Common Pitfalls:
Some learners may be attracted to diabolic because both words are negative, but the degrees and types of negativity differ greatly. Others may confuse impatient behaviour with insolent behaviour simply because both can occur in conflicts. To avoid such mistakes, always ask yourself what kind of negativity the word expresses. Insolent is about disrespect and rude manner, not about evil, impatience, or mere unpleasantness.

Final Answer:
The correct synonym for INSOLENT is RUDE.