hardihood

temerity, audacity, hardihood, effrontery, nerve, cheek, gall, chutzpah mean conspicuous or flagrant boldness. temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

• • had the temerity to refuse

audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

• • an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

• • admired for her hardihood

effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

• • outraged at his 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