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

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 effrontery Ani is one of HQ’s best girls, and Madison plays her with a bawdy effrontery and a disarming grin that seems to widen by a mile under neon lights. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024 Blocking the medical board from physician regulation is the worst effrontery to medical professionalism, puts the public at unacceptable risk, and might be a place for bad physician actors to be shrouded and protected. Joel B. Zivot, STAT, 26 Feb. 2024 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 See All Example Sentences for effrontery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effrontery
Noun
  • The gall to say that I'm washed?
    Sydney Bucksbaum, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Oct. 2025
  • Two interesting examples of insects that need goldenrods are the goldenrod gall fly and the goldenrod gall moth.
    Markis Hill, Kansas City Star, 16 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • Those nerves showed themselves in the first period, as penalty trouble led to two goals from the elite Tampa Bay Lightning power play.
    Julian McKenzie, New York Times, 10 Oct. 2025
  • The actress was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, a central nervous system condition that damages nerves, affecting the electrical signals in the brain, in 2018.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 10 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Still, Patel warns Gen Z that confidence can quickly morph into arrogance.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2025
  • Schmitt suffers a nervous breakdown after his arrogance (and Webber’s long leash on the residency program) leads to him killing a podcaster on the operating table and these two break up again.
    Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • His audacity and her rashness might surprise some.
    Hanako Montgomery, CNN Money, 11 Oct. 2025
  • It will be measured in the vigor of his curiosity, the depth of his attention, and the audacity of his explorations.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 6 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Invigorating in its temerity, Smith’s six-episode Season 5 is told with propulsive clarity (save for the mysteries you’re intended to guess at).
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 24 Sep. 2025
  • But despite being on the slight side, temerity has never been an issue for Locmelis.
    Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Effrontery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effrontery. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effrontery

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