chutzpah

variants also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of chutzpah are audacity, cheek, 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 chutzpah?

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

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When can effrontery be used instead of chutzpah?

The meanings of effrontery and chutzpah largely overlap; however, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

Where would hardihood be a reasonable alternative to chutzpah?

The words hardihood and chutzpah are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When could temerity be used to replace chutzpah?

Although the words temerity and chutzpah have much in common, 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 chutzpah Frow is never shy of a challenge, however, and has the chutzpah to back himself for a bigger role. Max Goldbart, Deadline, 27 Feb. 2025 Few medieval women had the chutzpah to petition a court for past dues, much less the pope’s. Joelle Rollo-Koster, The Conversation, 25 Feb. 2025 The decision to limit the groovy Thundercat riff that opens this to a skit is a crazy flex, and the lyrics that follow only up the chutzpah. Stephen Kearse, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025 There’s only one word for it: chutzpah, an extreme level of audacity, gall or nerve. Steve Bousquet, Orlando Sentinel, 8 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for chutzpah
Recent Examples of Synonyms for chutzpah
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
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • There was one uncomfortable moment when the Bruins’ brass on Causeway Street, trying to interface with Hagens at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles via Zoom, could not hear the player and the broadcast had to move on.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 28 June 2025
  • There’s an old English saying: Where there’s muck, there’s brass.
    Chris Stokel-Walker, Fortune, 26 June 2025
Noun
  • The lines between competitive stubbornness and plain old stubbornness, a healthy arrogance and prideful ignorance are pretty thin.
    Will Graves, The Orlando Sentinel, 6 June 2025
  • Individuals with big egos display excessive pride in their abilities and accomplishments, often leading to arrogance and overconfidence.
    AllBusiness, Forbes.com, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • Through a mixture of audacity, ruthlessness, and luck, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has upended the balance of power between Israel and Iran, its most threatening regional adversary, and remade the Middle East in just 20 months.
    Eric Cortellessa, Time, 19 June 2025
  • Others had the audacity to leave the plantations that had been home to them for generations.
    Bea L. Hines, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Chutzpah.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/chutzpah. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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