chutzpah

noun

chutz·​pah ˈhu̇t-spə  ˈḵu̇t- 

-(ˌ)spä

variants or less commonly chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa

: supreme self-confidence : nerve, gall

It took a lot of chutzpah to stand up to him the way she did.

Synonyms

• audaciousness
• audacity
• brashness
• brass
• brassiness
• brazenness
• cheek
• cheekiness
• crust
• effrontery
• face
• gall
• nerve
• nerviness
• pertness
• presumption
• presumptuousness
• sauce
• sauciness
• temerity

Choose the Right Synonym for chutzpah

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness.

temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his 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

Examples of chutzpah in a Sentence

had the chutzpah to demand that he be treated as a special case and be given priority in settling his insurance claim

Recent Examples on the Web

The myopic Legislature has no problem banning or removing books from libraries, but has the chutzpah to demean the intelligence of more than a million people who signed petitions calling for such a vote. —Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 10 Feb. 2024

Carla has far too much chutzpah to be thrown by a younger woman, though many around her do try to throw her off her game. —Rachel Handler, Vulture, 30 Aug. 2024

Liccardo has the smarts, curiosity, nuance, experience and chutzpah to be a standout representative of Silicon Valley in Washington, D.C. —Letters To The Editor, The Mercury News, 29 Oct. 2024

Sure enough, Cath resurfaces, first seen in the prologue by Jennifer Landon and later played by a deliciously against-type Glenn Close, whose red-haired Southern chutzpah suggests Reba McEntire with a larcenous streak. —Peter Debruge, Variety, 11 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Yiddish khutspe, from Late Hebrew ḥuṣpāh

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

chutzpah

noun

chutz·​pah

variants also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa

ˈhu̇t-spə 

ˈḵu̇t-,

-(ˌ)spä

: nerve sense 3c

Etymology

Yiddish; of Hebrew origin