audacity
au·dac·i·ty
noun \ȯ-ˈda-sə-tē\ plural au·dac·i·ties
Definition of AUDACITY
1
: the quality or state of being audacious: as a : intrepid boldness b : bold or arrogant disregard of normal restraints <had the audacity to defy his boss>
2
: an audacious act —usually used in plural <her worst audacities did not seem to surprise him — Edith Wharton>
Examples of AUDACITY
- I could not believe their audacity.
- He had the audacity to suggest that it was all my fault.
Origin of AUDACITY
Middle English audacite, from Latin audac-, audax
First Known Use: 15th century
Related to AUDACITY
Synonyms: audaciousness, effrontery, brashness, brass, brassiness, brazenness, cheek, cheekiness, chutzpah (also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa), crust, face, gall, nerve, nerviness, pertness, presumption, presumptuousness, sauce, sauciness, temerity
Related Words: arrogance, assurance, cockiness, confidence, hardihood, overconfidence, sanguinity, self-assurance, self-confidence; discourteousness, disrespect, impertinence, impoliteness, impudence, incivility, inconsiderateness, inconsideration, insolence, rudeness, ungraciousness; back talk, sass; swagger, swash
Near Antonyms: bashfulness, diffidence, faintheartedness, hesitancy, modesty, shyness, timidity, timidness, timorousness; civility, courteousness, courtesy, gentility, graciousness, mannerliness, manners
See Synonym Discussion at temerity



