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
• confidence
• brashness
• presumption
• presumptuousness
• cheekiness
• face
• brass
• assurance
• crust
• pertness
• sauciness
• cheek
• sauce
• hardihood
• impudence
• disrespect
• nerviness
• brassiness
• insolence
• self-confidence
• self-assurance
• impertinence
• cockiness
• rudeness
• overconfidence
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration
• incivility
• impoliteness
• sanguinity
• sass
• swagger
• back talk
• ungraciousness
• 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

Moreover, currently sitting at 85 percent on the Tomatometer, reviews for The Drama have been generally good with some critics praising director Kristoffer Borgli’s audacity and the movie’s deliberate provocations as a means of addressing the messy current cultural moment. —Chris Lee, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026

The secret tasks are pulled off with breathtaking audacity and the millionaire has never been more dangerous. —Ethan Shanfeld, Variety, 18 Mar. 2026

In Alabama, the punishment for this audacity had most often involved waking up to her family’s dogs poisoned in the night. —Literary Hub, 17 Mar. 2026

But the audacity to make a movie with such an unlikable character, and to counter that, to cast it with someone everyone seems to like [Timothée Chalamet] as Dylan was a nice counterbalance. —Anne Thompson, IndieWire, 13 Mar. 2026