Synonym Chooser

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

Examples 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 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 There’s only one word for it: chutzpah, an extreme level of audacity, gall or nerve. Steve Bousquet, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025 And today, in 2024, people have the audacity to say bitcoin wasn't hijacked. Billy Bambrough, Forbes, 19 Dec. 2024 The freedom, the audacity, to announce yourself as a talented, accomplished and responsible member of society was an earned right. Marcus Thompson Ii, The Athletic, 25 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for audacity 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for audacity
Noun
  • 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
  • Jason, who Reed has the gall to say might not be worth avenging, does Helen one more good turn from beyond the grave.
    Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Noun
  • But the December consumer price index, released Wednesday, likely helped soothe some of those nerves.
    Rocio Fabbro, Quartz, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The occipital nerves are located here and extend up the back of your head.
    Sarah Bradley, Health, 17 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • Trump’s Comments About The Panama Canal Trump remarked that the United States should regain control of the Panama Canal, a statement that evoked arrogance and colonialism in the past.
    Ken Silverstein, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025
  • The historical 'attitude' (arrogance) in his acting has fueled MAGA, and his endorsements of Trump are undeniably overbearing and irrational.
    Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
  • In the beginning, many scoffed at the temerity of a peanut farmer and one-term governor running for the highest office in the land.
    Scott Kraft, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024
  • The simple truth is that the DOJ is always on the warpath against businesses possessing the temerity to not just meet the needs of consumers, but lead them.
    John Tamny, Forbes, 22 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near audacity

Cite this Entry

“Audacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/audacity. Accessed 28 Jan. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on audacity

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