Synonyms of audacity

audacity

noun

ȯ-ˈda-sə-tē 

as in gall

shameless boldness

I can't believe she had the audacity to tell me to shut up!

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gall
• nerve
• arrogance
• temerity
• effrontery
• chutzpah
• audaciousness
• brazenness
• chutzpa
• confidence
• brashness
• presumption
• presumptuousness
• hutzpah
• cheekiness
• face
• assurance
• brass
• pertness
• sauciness
• crust
• cheek
• brassiness
• hutzpa
• sauce
• hardihood
• nerviness
• impudence
• disrespect
• self-confidence
• insolence
• self-assurance
• cockiness
• impertinence
• rudeness
• overconfidence
• sanguinity
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration
• incivility
• impoliteness
• ungraciousness
• sass
• swagger
• back talk
• discourteousness
• swash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• timidity
• modesty
• hesitancy
• diffidence
• shyness
• bashfulness
• manners
• courtesy
• timorousness
• faintheartedness
• timidness
• graciousness
• civility
• gentility
• courteousness
• mannerliness

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

Recent Examples of audacity

But the remix leveled the playing field, and the audacity of slotting two men on a song about appreciating a man’s appearance wasn’t lost here. —Steven J. Horowitz, Vulture, 11 Apr. 2025

Only the bold have the audacity to improve on a winner. —Michael Odell, Air Mail, 10 Apr. 2025

That audacity transcends into looks that embolden—and set our personality apart from the rest. —Essence, 10 Apr. 2025

To read Henderson’s opinion is to get a glimpse of her impatience with the audacity of the Administration’s arguments, which included the claim that federal courts had no business reviewing Trump’s actions because of his authority over national security and foreign relations. —Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2025