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 Aging often creates hollows around the eyes, temples and cheeks. — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 15 July 2026 In photos published by People, the actress and the model could be seen holding hands and even sharing a kiss on the cheek. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 14 July 2026 Laura surveyed her flushed cheeks, her bruised legs, with a consumer’s eye. — Literary Hub, 13 July 2026 One of the Royal Palace guards, on duty for the evening, puffed out his cheeks when asked what the scene below would have looked like with a Norway win. — Philip Buckingham, New York Times, 12 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheek

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheek

Noun

Robbie Williams was not using cocaine during the World Cup final on Sunday, after a video went viral of a white object falling from his mouth onto a microphone during an interview.

— Alejandra Gularte, Vulture, 21 July 2026
Essentially a rock has met a hard place – at the mouth of the Persian Gulf.

— Tim Lister, CNN Money, 20 July 2026

Definition of mouth

Noun

The flashbacks deliver some classic cat-and-mouse conspiracy-thriller action, as these two try to figure out who’s on their tail.

— Noel Murray, Vulture, 24 July 2026
In the underwater video, an adult female orca is seen holding onto a dead sharp-tail sunfish that the group had previously killed.

— Matthew Glasser, ABC News, 23 July 2026

Definition of tail

Noun

And with no disrespect to the Signature motorhome and its 2-in-1 hybrid bathroom and swiveling front lounge, the sliding bathroom of the Habiton camper van was arguably the pièce de résistance of that multi-vehicle effort.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 21 July 2026
Their shunning of the Spanish coronation, however, felt uniquely unappealing, a show of disrespect to the winners of the most high-profile sporting event in the world.

— Adam Crafton, New York Times, 20 July 2026

Definition of disrespect

Noun

To tell if an abnormal growth on a tree is a burl or a gall, compare the outer surface and texture of the growth.

— Pamm Cooper, Hartford Courant, 25 July 2026
Many of the trees with the OXO gene unexpectedly developed large abnormal growths called galls, grew slower and showed other symptoms of poor health.

— Steve Strauss, The Conversation, 22 July 2026

Definition of gall

Noun

Historic ceiling beams were painted white to lighten the atmosphere, while high-gloss wood paneling pairs with handblown glass light fixtures from Vetreria Venier in Murano.

— Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 25 July 2026
Electron beam lithography has long been valued for its exceptional resolution, but conventional single-beam systems have generally been too slow for many high-throughput manufacturing applications.

— Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 25 July 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

One had to undergo emergency surgery to combat a life-threatening infection; the other required a surgeon to reconstruct the left side of her face, which had become paralyzed.

— Ella Moore July 23, Miami Herald, 23 July 2026
Familiar faces like Derrick Brown, Bryce Young, Tetairoa McMillan and Jaycee Horn will take the field this week for the start of training camp, but there will be some notable new faces added to the mix.

— Mike Kaye July 22, Charlotte Observer, 22 July 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 26 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of cheek

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