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
• brazenness
• confidence
• presumption
• brashness
• presumptuousness
• face
• audaciousness
• pertness
• sauciness
• assurance
• brass
• crust
• cheek
• cheekiness
• sauce
• impudence
• hardihood
• insolence
• brassiness
• disrespect
• impertinence
• rudeness
• self-assurance
• cockiness
• nerviness
• self-confidence
• overconfidence
• inconsiderateness
• inconsideration
• incivility
• impoliteness
• sanguinity
• back talk
• sass
• swagger
• ungraciousness
• 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

Both clever, the younger had the effrontery to be popular and sporty, too. — Esther Freud, Vogue, 2 July 2025

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

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