EFFRONTERY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of effrontery are audacity , cheek , chutzpah , gall , hardihood , nerve , and temerity . While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy. // outraged at his effrontery

Q: When is it sensible to use 'audacity' instead of 'effrontery'?

Although the words audacity and effrontery have much in common, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence. // an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

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

The words hardihood and effrontery can be used in similar contexts, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance. // admired for her hardihood

Q: How does the word 'nerve' relate to other synonyms for 'effrontery'?

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 would 'temerity' be a good substitute for 'effrontery'?

The words temerity and effrontery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger. // had the temerity to refuse

effrontery

noun

i-ˈfrən-tə-rē

Definition of effrontery next

as in gall

shameless boldness the little squirt had the effrontery to deny eating any cookies, even with the crumbs still on his lips

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

Some common synonyms of effrontery are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When is it sensible to use audacity instead of effrontery?

Although the words audacity and effrontery have much in common, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When might hardihood be a better fit than effrontery?

The words hardihood and effrontery can be used in similar contexts, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

How does the word nerve relate to other synonyms for effrontery?

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 would temerity be a good substitute for effrontery?

The words temerity and effrontery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 effrontery Miller, putting a spin of effrontery on every line, is the perfect actor to play this corkscrew superhero. —

Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 June 2023 Gary’s run-in with Lucille Ball; his TV-interview effrontery with Art Linkletter; Alana’s encounter with William Holden (Sean Penn), Sam Peckinpah (Tom Waits) figures; her defiant trick on Jon Peters (Bradley Cooper) and brief venture into political work (Benny Safdie as a local pol). —

Armond White, National Review, 14 Jan. 2022 With United out of the Champions League this season, Veronique no doubt wanted extra financial compensation for the effrontery of her client not playing top-level European football (even if Juve barely get past the group stage in the competition these days). —

Emmet Gates, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 About the Soviet of Deputies’ effrontery. —

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, National Review, 13 Oct. 2021 See all Example Sentences for effrontery

Recent Examples of Synonyms for effrontery

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