Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of effrontery are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When is it sensible to use audacity instead of effrontery?

Although the words audacity and effrontery have much in common, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When might hardihood be a better fit than effrontery?

The words hardihood and effrontery can be used in similar contexts, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

How does the word nerve relate to other synonyms for 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

When would temerity be a good substitute for effrontery?

The words temerity and effrontery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 effrontery Miller, putting a spin of effrontery on every line, is the perfect actor to play this corkscrew superhero. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 June 2023 Gary’s run-in with Lucille Ball; his TV-interview effrontery with Art Linkletter; Alana’s encounter with William Holden (Sean Penn), Sam Peckinpah (Tom Waits) figures; her defiant trick on Jon Peters (Bradley Cooper) and brief venture into political work (Benny Safdie as a local pol). Armond White, National Review, 14 Jan. 2022 With United out of the Champions League this season, Veronique no doubt wanted extra financial compensation for the effrontery of her client not playing top-level European football (even if Juve barely get past the group stage in the competition these days). Emmet Gates, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 About the Soviet of Deputies’ effrontery. Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, National Review, 13 Oct. 2021 See All Example Sentences for effrontery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effrontery
Noun
  • Our study also identified other risks, including low blood pressure, sleep problems, headaches, formation of kidney stones, and gall bladder disease and diseases associated with the bile ducts.
    Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025
  • 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
Noun
  • That's nerve damage causing pain, numbness or tingling.
    John Daley, NPR, 19 Mar. 2025
  • The song played a pivotal part in Gaga: Five Foot Two, her 2017 Netflix documentary, where its mixed reception seemed to strike a nerve with her.
    Kristen S. Hé, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Most are due to unnecessary escalation, creating disengagement, authoritative behaviors, arrogance and ego.
    Joao Mendes-Roter, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Musk’s casual Friday attire just shows his arrogance and disrespect for American government.
    Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 19 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • And yet, the core of the brand—the audacity, the punk defiance, the challenge to authority—remains intact.
    Jeetendr Sehdev, Forbes, 13 Mar. 2025
  • In other words, Southwest — a budget airline that’s been under intense pressure from activist investor Elliott Management — is punishing the folks in the cheap seats for having the audacity to bring clothes on vacation.
    Allison Morrow, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • The idea was supported by nearly all the members of the World Health Assembly, but Beijing decided to punish Canberra for its temerity.
    Matt Pottinger, Foreign Affairs, 23 Aug. 2021
  • Moyers had his enemies for having the temerity to criticize Ronald Reagan.
    Dean Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Effrontery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effrontery. Accessed 2 Apr. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effrontery

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!