Synonyms of cheek

cheek

noun

ˈchēk 

1

as in mouth

disrespectful or argumentative talk given in response to a command or request

any more cheek in this classroom and you'll get a detention

Synonyms & Similar Words

• mouth
• disrespect
• sass
• impudence
• insolence
• back talk
• sauce
• rudeness
• impertinence
• retort
• rejoinder
• riposte
• nonsense
• wisecrack
• cuteness
• tactlessness
• boldness
• discourtesy
• audacity
• impoliteness
• backchat
• guff
• crossness
• comeback
• brazenness
• bluntness
• coarseness
• vulgarity
• crassness
• brusqueness
• abruptness
• crudity
• gruffness
• curtness
• surliness
• audaciousness
• bluffness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• diplomacy
• politeness
• cordiality
• civility
• courtesy
• smoothness
• consideration
• gallantry
• gentility
• suavity
• respect
• graciousness
• deference
• tactfulness
• suaveness
• affability

2

as in nerve

shameless boldness

she had the cheek to blame me for the fact that she had forgotten about the staff meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

3

as in tail

cheeks plural the part of the body upon which someone sits

he dropped his pants and flashed his cheeks at the opposing team

Synonyms & Similar Words

• tail
• beam
• buttocks
• backside
• butt
• bum
• rear
• rump
• posterior
• seat
• fanny
• haunches
• tail end
• behind
• buns
• rear end
• tush
• booty
• breech
• hams
• caboose
• fundament
• derriere
• heinie
• duff
• bottom
• nates
• keister
• stern
• can
• hunkers
• moon

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

Recent Examples of cheek

Yusef Toubassi sits with his grandson Masa, looking on as children run by with cheeks painted bright colors and others howling with joy as clowns spin them around. — Dina Kraft, Christian Science Monitor, 19 Aug. 2026

Khat is typically chewed like tobacco, with individuals retaining it in the cheek and chewing intermittently to release the active drug, which then produces stimulant-like effects. — Bryan Lynn, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

During an early scene, a tear rolled down her cheek on the same line, take after take. — Glenn Garner, Deadline, 19 Aug. 2026

Critics took issue with some of the recordings, particularly those in which Kulusich appears to kiss Peter Pan on the cheek or get down on one knee to propose to him. — Alexis Mikulski Ruiz, Rolling Stone, 18 Aug. 2026