AUDACITY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'audacity' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of audacity are cheek , chutzpah , effrontery , gall , hardihood , nerve , and temerity . While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence. // an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

Q: When can 'effrontery' be used instead of 'audacity'?

The synonyms effrontery and audacity are sometimes interchangeable, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy. // outraged at his effrontery

Q: When might 'hardihood' be a better fit than 'audacity'?

The words hardihood and audacity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance. // admired for her hardihood

Q: How is 'nerve' related to other words for 'audacity'?

Nerve , cheek , gall , and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery . // the nerve of that guy // has the cheek to call herself a singer // had the gall to demand proof // the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Q: When is 'temerity' a more appropriate choice than 'audacity'?

While the synonyms temerity and audacity are close in meaning, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger. // had the temerity to refuse

audacity

noun

ȯ-ˈda-sə-tē

Definition of audacity next

as in gall

shameless boldness I can't believe she had the audacity to tell me to shut up!

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How is the word audacity different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of audacity are cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When can effrontery be used instead of audacity?

The synonyms effrontery and audacity are sometimes interchangeable, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When might hardihood be a better fit than audacity?

The words hardihood and audacity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

How is nerve related to other words for audacity?

Nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy

has the cheek to call herself a singer

had the gall to demand proof

the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

When is temerity a more appropriate choice than audacity?

While the synonyms temerity and audacity are close in meaning, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of audacity Defensive line coach Andre Patterson actually had the audacity during an early December interview to blame the secondary for the team’s horrific run defense while skirting blame for the line. —

Pat Leonard, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2025 Federal guidelines call for a prison term of as much as 30 years, and the Probation Department has recommended a sentence of 12 years, a huge reduction from the guidelines considering the audacity of his crimes. —

The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 13 Jan. 2025 Rounding out this season’s international feature faves are two films with little to connect them other than the audacity of their directors. —

Scott Roxborough, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Jan. 2025 The Olympics opening ceremony shined with best of Paris and France, but failed as TV: Often enough the grandeur, audacity and nuttiness of the opening ceremony shone through onscreen, but commentary, cutaways and commercials fragmented the experience this time, our critic writes. —

Los Angeles Times Staff, Los Angeles Times, 27 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for audacity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for audacity

Noun

Our study also identified other risks, including low blood pressure, sleep problems, headaches, formation of kidney stones, and gall bladder disease and diseases associated with the bile ducts.

— Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025
Coordinators have rarely had the gall to try to run it in those spots, but the Lions did and scored.

— Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025