Synonyms of effrontery

effrontery

noun

i-ˈfrən-tə-rē 

as in gall

shameless boldness

the little squirt had the effrontery to deny eating any cookies, even with the crumbs still on his lips

Synonyms & Similar Words

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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of effrontery are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When is it sensible to use audacity instead of effrontery?

Although the words audacity and effrontery have much in common, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When might hardihood be a better fit than effrontery?

The words hardihood and effrontery can be used in similar contexts, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

How does the word nerve relate to other synonyms for effrontery?

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 would temerity be a good substitute for effrontery?

The words temerity and effrontery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of effrontery

These companies apparently have the effrontery to resist the attempts to reduce their access to capital being organized, primarily, by a largely unaccountable cabal of activists, financial institutions, and state pension funds. —Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 7 Jan. 2024

Miller, putting a spin of effrontery on every line, is the perfect actor to play this corkscrew superhero. —Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 June 2023

With United out of the Champions League this season, Veronique no doubt wanted extra financial compensation for the effrontery of her client not playing top-level European football (even if Juve barely get past the group stage in the competition these days). —Emmet Gates, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022

But this guy, who has the effrontery to be angry now? —Haben Kelati, Washington Post, 1 Feb. 2023

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