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 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 The subjects appear to offer their likenesses without reserving an ounce of modesty; confidence and audacity steel their faces and poses. Bryan Barcena, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for audacity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for audacity
Noun
  • 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
  • The documents that Dooley was now handling were barely yellowed, their edges lightly frayed, the oak gall ink ranging from brown to black.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • There, Linda lies in the sand, attempting the breath work that's meant to calm her nerves.
    Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Mar. 2026
  • Stocks have been jolted by nerves about the Middle East conflict disrupting the global flow of oil and reigniting inflation at a time when the US labor market appears to be on shaky ground.
    John Towfighi, CNN Money, 9 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Too few compliments make kids feel slighted, while too many can inspire arrogance.
    Wayne Parker, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026
  • Adam McKay’s toxically smug dissection of Dick Cheney fails to take the full measure of this monstrous vice-president, but even so, Bale taps into something elemental about the man’s arrogance and domineering personality.
    Tim Grierson, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Otherwise, Mourinho’s side had blown away the opposition, with only Swansea City having the temerity to take the lead before eventually succumbing 4-2 as Diego Costa netted a hat-trick.
    Richard Sutcliffe, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2026
  • And Zelensky just hasn’t backed down, and Zelensky’s had the temerity to take him on, on a number of occasions, to push back.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Audacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/audacity. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.

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