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

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

While Israel has not officially claimed responsibility, the combination of tech savvy, intelligence work, and sheer chutzpah involved in pulling off the attack left little room for doubt. —The Editors, National Review, 25 Sep. 2024

The Vodafone Japan deal, on the other hand, was executed at a time when SoftBank was tottering, required extraordinary chutzpah, flawless execution and a ton of cash. —Alok Sama, Fortune Asia, 17 Sep. 2024

That kind of jaw-dropping change requires exactly the chutzpah and thirst for clarity that Tan is known for. —Patrick Moorhead, Forbes, 4 Sep. 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