Definition of audacitynext

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

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 Her gleeful cruelty was matched only by the audacity of her incompetence. Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 Marty Supreme, on which Ronald was a writer and producer as well as the editor, burst onto the awards-season scene in the fall with an arms-outstretched audacity that would make its would-be ping-pong-champ protagonist proud. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 4 Mar. 2026 Winning here still requires nerve and audacity. Mike Bianchi, The Orlando Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2026 Friedmann’s plot, extraordinary in its audacity, had the trappings of a major criminal undertaking. James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for audacity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for audacity
Noun
  • Possible diseases include powdery mildew, blight, crown rot, leaf gall, root rot, leaf spot, and rust.
    Mary Marlowe Leverette, The Spruce, 12 Mar. 2026
  • Imagine having the gall to besmirch the name of a young mother killed for trying to speak up for her neighbors or of an ICU nurse shot in the back for trying to tend to a woman who had been pepper-sprayed in the face.
    Sasha Abramsky, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • In the fullness of time, Nancy had a Nest camera installed—one of those all-seeing eyes meant to guard the property and calm anxious nerves and provide real safety from intrusion.
    Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 1 Apr. 2026
  • If not treated early, the infection can progress to more serious symptoms, such as joint swelling and arthritis, nerve pain, tingling or numbness, facial muscle weakness, heart inflammation and difficulties with memory or concentration.
    Emily Bache, The Conversation, 31 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Money and jealousy are the root of the play’s evils, with more deadly sins released in a world of posh, uppity arrogance.
    David John Chávez, Mercury News, 27 Mar. 2026
  • In a study with 355 participants, the authors narrowed their list to 16 warning signs that predicted violence that occurred within six months — many of them having to do with entitlement, arrogance, control and emotional immaturity.
    Kristen Rogers, CNN Money, 21 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • After Los Angeles Unified delivered 3,200 pink slips to teachers and employees last month, the United Teachers Los Angeles has the temerity to strike for higher pay.
    Lance Christensen, Oc Register, 18 Mar. 2026
  • Each player shuffled from side to side in unison to protect the centre of the pitch, with a bite in midfield whenever Arsenal had the temerity to funnel themselves into shooting positions.
    Mark Carey, New York Times, 16 Mar. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Audacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/audacity. Accessed 2 Apr. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on audacity

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster