cheek

1
2
3

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cheek different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of cheek are audacity, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," 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 audacity a more appropriate choice than cheek?

In some situations, the words audacity and cheek are roughly equivalent. However, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When would effrontery be a good substitute for cheek?

The synonyms effrontery and cheek are sometimes interchangeable, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When can hardihood be used instead of cheek?

While the synonyms hardihood and cheek are close in meaning, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When might temerity be a better fit than cheek?

The words temerity and cheek can be used in similar contexts, but 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 cheek Tatiana, a fortysomething Black actress with a day job at the local Con Ed payments office, gives him a buss on the cheek. Han Ong, New Yorker, 22 June 2025 Each line offers a variety of formulations that differ in thickness, flexibility, and longevity — some better suited for lips, others for cheeks or fine lines. Carlos Wolf, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025 Her long, barrel curls glided down her cheek, shielding the outer corner of her eye. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 18 June 2025 Your summer beauty plans may include a tinted lip color, a shimmery eye, or a guava-pink pop of color on the cheeks. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 19 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for cheek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheek
Noun
  • Agnes has a gawky, floppy-haired beauty, a gently appraising stare, quizzically arching eyebrows, and a tendency to listen with her mouth half open, as if in anticipation of a punch line that will take her, and us, by surprise.
    Justin Chang, New Yorker, 20 June 2025
  • Right as Elio opens his mouth to respond, the scene cuts, and the credits return.
    Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 20 June 2025
Noun
  • The nerves were palpable throughout before Vondroušová streaked away with the deciding set, taking the match 7-6 (12-10), 4-6, 6-2.
    Leon Imber, New York Times, 22 June 2025
  • The Englishman, chasing his first PGA Tour win and clearly feeling the nerves, went back and forth on his approach shot before swapping his 9-iron for his pitching wedge at the last second.
    Troy Finnegan‎, MSNBC Newsweek, 22 June 2025
Noun
  • Joby has reached a significant certification milestone by completing its first FAA-conforming major sub-assembly, specifically the aircraft tail.
    Trefis Team, Forbes.com, 24 June 2025
  • Female cats will go into heat about every three to five weeks during warm weather, showing recognizable behaviors such as making vocal sounds, moving the tail to the side or rubbing up against inanimate objects.
    Liz O'Connell, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 June 2025
Noun
  • Despite the disrespect, the Packers' head coach is simply focused on winning.
    Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 June 2025
  • In a sit-down interview, Goldberg said the amount of disrespect Gunther had for Goldberg was unreal.
    Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
Noun
  • The members of my party have the gall to request several of these demonic items from the livid waiter.
    Caity Weaver, The Atlantic, 5 June 2025
  • Lia Thomas stole a medal through deceit, and this rag has the gall to call him a 'champion'?
    Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 May 2025
Noun
  • Each lamp head can swivel 350° side-to-side and tilt 90° up or down, with beam angles that go from narrow spotlighting to wide ambient wash.
    Paul Lamkin, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025
  • The adaptive reuse design preserves the 1907 warehouse’s original Douglas fir beams and brickwork while slashing the building’s carbon footprint.
    Leilani Marie Labong, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • Above all, LuPone is dramatic in the Broadway-lineage sense: There is a grandeur to her banter and her sass is playing all the way to the seats at the back.
    Raven Smith, Vogue, 28 May 2025
  • Einstein lives up to her name with sass and smarts, the diva of the bunch.
    Paul Du Quenoy, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Mar. 2025
Noun
  • Another popular and much-loved face of Fast and Furious alongside Diesel was Paul Walker, who passed away in a tragic car accident in 2013.
    Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 July 2025
  • But slathering on your go-to face or body sunscreen isn’t always the best move.
    Christa Joanna Lee, Allure, 1 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheek. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on cheek

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!