chutzpah

variants also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of chutzpah are audacity, cheek, effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," 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 audacity a more appropriate choice than chutzpah?

In some situations, the words audacity and chutzpah are roughly equivalent. However, 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 chutzpah?

The meanings of effrontery and chutzpah largely overlap; however, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

Where would hardihood be a reasonable alternative to chutzpah?

The words hardihood and chutzpah are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When could temerity be used to replace chutzpah?

Although the words temerity and chutzpah have much in common, 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 chutzpah 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 Back at the Red Keep, Otto still can’t believe Aegon’s chutzpah. Omar L. Gallaga, Washington Post, 24 June 2024 What chutzpah from another entitled, rich, white guy. Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 9 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for chutzpah 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chutzpah
Noun
  • And Big Government had the gall to charge me $35 to get in?
    Peter Rubin, Longreads, 19 Sep. 2024
  • The females will then find a gall, or a growth on a plant caused by mites, insects or some other kind of infestation.
    Li Cohen, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2024
Noun
  • The pot shattered, severing tissue and nerves in Treinen’s thumb.
    Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
  • Severe frostbite can lead to long-term complications like chronic pain and nerve damage.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 1 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Raw-finish fronts were used atop IKEA cabinets: the lower units are black with brass handles while those mounted on the wall above the work area are in gray and without handles.
    Nicolas Milon, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
  • Previous indications ahead of the Lattimore deal were that the Commanders believe their window for contention opened up much quicker than the brass initially thought.
    Vincent Frank, Forbes, 5 Nov. 2024
Noun
  • Dastmalchian gets to play it all — disbelief, arrogance, grieving, terrified — sometimes in the same moment.
    Jenelle Riley, Variety, 31 Oct. 2024
  • These things are a big investment of time and to have not one, but two of them that might otherwise have had a reasonable expectation of success — probably arrogance on my part — but still, many times an author who gets published once can get published a second time.
    Choire Sicha, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2024
Noun
  • My phone has the audacity to text me when news has happened, which is so bold.
    Josef Adalian, Vulture, 13 Sep. 2024
  • That chaos is calibrated for maximum audacity thanks to visual effects supervisor Dan Sturm’s prudently incorporated CGI, which doesn’t skimp on the wow factor and is further amped up by composer Cody Fry’s cacophonous, rambunctious score.
    Michael Rechtshaffen, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 Sep. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near chutzpah

Cite this Entry

“Chutzpah.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chutzpah. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on chutzpah

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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