cheekiness 1 of 2

noun

Definition of cheekinessnext
as in nerve
shameless boldness the cheekiness of the restaurant's demand that we pay for unordered food was breathtaking

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

cheeky

2 of 2

adjective

ˈchē-kē How to pronounce cheeky (audio)
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness a cheeky comment about something that was none of her business

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 cheekiness
Noun
The cheekiness, the humor, but the real humanity too. — Erin Clack, PEOPLE, 7 Dec. 2025 The split hem on the pencil skirt also adds a bit of cheekiness to the dress. — Caroline Hughes, Travel + Leisure, 30 Oct. 2025
Adjective
In a November 2020 episode of Unlocking Us hosted by Brené Brown, the author spoke with the late Dolly Parton, who had a cheeky bit of gossip to share about her old friend Burt Reynolds. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2026 His Lamb goes from a brash Yorkshire showman to a callous profiteer of human vice and misery, his cheeky smile becoming a vicious snarl. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheekiness
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheekiness
  1. nerve
  2. gall
  3. arrogance
  4. brashness
  5. sauciness
  6. confidence
  7. audacity
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
  • Kari was confined to a wheelchair and had to have her gall bladder removed.
    — Marlow Stern, Variety, 24 Sep. 2026
  • Avicii was hospitalized for health issues throughout his lifetime, and increased alcohol consumption to curb his anxiety led to acute pancreatitis and a gall bladder surgery.
    — Jaeden Pinder, Rolling Stone, 28 Aug. 2026
Definition of gall
Noun
  • Ilya is looking for work as an assistant, and the professor, with his dandyish nerd arrogance, tells him to look at a paper he’s written and come back in a few days.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 Oct. 2026
  • This standalone novel looks at the cult of celebrity, the bond among parents and children, entitlement and arrogance, all wrapped into a tightly wound plot that’s an evocative historical steeped in the Great Depression.
    — Oline H. Cogdill, Sun Sentinel, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • As fashion cycles through infinite stages of nostalgia—particularly the brashness of the ’80s and the sleek, techy sportiness of the ’90s—there’s something about airbrushing that feels less overt and slightly irreverent.
    — Alexandra Hildreth, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026
  • There’s also hints of vulnerability and genuine tenderness in her stern headmistress of the bedroom, which Wilde slips in just slyly enough to let the presence of a heart peek through all the brainy brashness and hormone overload.
    — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 30 July 2026
Definition of brashness
Noun
  • Lace and leather gloves sourced from vintage costumers added a touch of sauciness to Oscar de la Renta and Carolina Herrera evening dresses worn to the ballet and and the theater.
    — Nicky Josephine, Vogue, 29 June 2026
Definition of sauciness
Noun
  • Economists like Robert Lucas and Edward Prescott — who each won Nobel Prizes — challenged Keynesian economics and its confidence that government policy could effectively smooth out the economy's ups and downs.
    — Greg Rosalsky, NPR, 13 Oct. 2026
  • The Moon in your sign squares Jupiter, making confidence, frustration, desire, or impatience harder to moderate.
    — Tarot.com, Baltimore Sun, 13 Oct. 2026
Definition of confidence
Noun
  • The artist needs to have the audacity to trust that the audience will get the joke.
    — Sarah Larson, New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2026
  • Within such a movement, no band is embracing it with the tenacity — or the audacity — of Dexter and the Moonrocks.
    — Josh Crutchmer, Rolling Stone, 3 Oct. 2026
Definition of audacity

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Cite this Entry

“Cheekiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheekiness. Accessed 17 Oct. 2026.

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