CHEEK Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

cheek

noun

ˈchēk

Definition of cheek

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

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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 And the wrinkles go around the cheeks and all combine at the butthole. — Emily Zemler, Rolling Stone, 13 Oct. 2026 The causes of acne can vary Teenage acne tends to affect the forehead, nose and cheeks. — Adithi Ramakrishnan, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026 The wrinkles go, like, around the cheeks and all combine at the butthole. — Ashley Fetters Maloy, Washington Post, 13 Oct. 2026 The wrinkles go around the cheeks and all combine at the butthole. — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheek

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheek

Noun

But a few times in recent years, Hollins, a veterinarian, tricked Jonathan and slid a cotton swab into the giant tortoise's mouth to get a saliva sample.

— KYLE MELNICK THE WASHINGTON POST, Arkansas Online, 18 Oct. 2026
Kip’s leaning into the frame, giving a thumbs-up, one of the KitKats in his mouth like a cigarillo.

— George Saunders, New Yorker, 18 Oct. 2026

Definition of mouth

Noun

But finding one’s nerve means fighting the everyday vagaries of low self-esteem, depression, self-deception, insecurity, loss, never-ending grief, and narcissists.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Oct. 2026
Because of the way the substance interacts with the body’s nerves, Schwarz said those who chronically use it face nerve injury and numbness.

— Melissa Gomez, Los Angeles Times, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of nerve

Noun

Tuck drumstick ends under band of skin across the tail if present or tie drumsticks securely to tail using 100%- cotton kitchen string.

— Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Oct. 2026
My barometer will always be whether the AI is the tail that’s wagging the dog.

— Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2026

Definition of tail

Noun

Nathan is offended and starts going on his usual rant about not tolerating disrespect toward his family.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 6 Oct. 2026
What readers are saying The comments express frustration and disappointment over the littering and disrespect shown by visitors to national parks, particularly Yellowstone.

— Andrea Sachs, Washington Post, 30 Sep. 2026

Definition of disrespect

Noun

What galls, perhaps, is less the accident itself than the absence of a person stepping out from behind the wheel, having a human experience of horror and regret.

— Molly Fischer, New Yorker, 12 Oct. 2026
Kari was confined to a wheelchair and had to have her gall bladder removed.

— Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of gall

Noun

One mirror focused the X-rays vertically, while the other focused them horizontally, concentrating the beam into a spot measuring just 180 × 330 nanometers.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 17 Oct. 2026
Meanwhile, Mickelson noted that every ceiling in the theater is different — a coffered ceiling with hexagonal panels gives way to plaster beams designed and painted to look like wood.

— Adam Harrington, CBS News, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

Susi Singer’s figurative candlestick has style and sass that owes at least partly to its earthenware origins, favored at the Werkstätte for its affordability over porcelain, but much less capable of refined shapes.

— Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 24 Aug. 2026
Played to perfection by Robert Picardo, the Emergency Medical Hologram was programmed to save lives and give sass.

— Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026

Definition of sass

Noun

This one was carved from a block of limestone and features a slender face with a long nose and a tiny, smiling mouth.

— Alex Greenberger, ARTnews.com, 13 Oct. 2026
As always, Howerton is the cast MVP, with his elastic, expressive face selling all of probable-serial killer Dennis’s most hyperbolic reactions.

— Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of face

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checkups

cheek

cheekiness

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“Cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheek. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cheek

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