gall 1 of 2

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gall

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verb

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as in to irritate
to make sore by continued rubbing tie your shoes so they don't gall your heels sliding on and off like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of gall are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, 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

In what contexts can audacity take the place of gall?

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

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When could effrontery be used to replace gall?

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

outraged at his effrontery

When is hardihood a more appropriate choice than gall?

The synonyms hardihood and gall are sometimes interchangeable, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When might temerity be a better fit than gall?

The words temerity and gall can be used in similar contexts, but 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 gall
Noun
Our study also identified other risks, including low blood pressure, sleep problems, headaches, formation of kidney stones, and gall bladder disease and diseases associated with the bile ducts. Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025 Coordinators have rarely had the gall to try to run it in those spots, but the Lions did and scored. Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
The two countries were locked in a long-running struggle for economic dominance, making the U.S. bid for Canada especially galling. Joseph Thorndike, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025 The loss will be particularly galling for Świątek, who had match point at 40-30 up but was unable to convert and reach her first Australian Open final. Matias Grez, CNN, 23 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for gall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gall
Noun
  • In our experience we were met with outright hostility for our Christian beliefs.
    BJ, Denver Post, 3 July 2025
  • But these weaknesses stem largely from underfunding and political hostility – not from any intrinsic flaw in the model.
    Sumit Agarwal, The Conversation, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • Consider Otto Loewi, the German physiologist who helped prove that nerve signals are transmitted chemically.
    Chris Reed, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • In that study, a chemical formulation was injected into a paralyzed rat's spine before the nerve tissue was stimulated with electricity.
    Abhimanyu Ghoshal, New Atlas, 6 July 2025
Verb
  • She’s known for crafting the clothes worn by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief, and Gloria Swanson in Sunset Boulevard.
    Elise Taylor, Vogue, 28 June 2025
  • The bride wore a Dolce & Gabbana silhouette dress for the occasion.
    Jay Stahl, USA Today, 28 June 2025
Verb
  • If Waldron wasn’t battered, then Phillies starter Zack Wheeler was hardly bothered.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 June 2025
  • While notification bundles were an option before, they were primarily used for messaging, and not all developers bothered.
    ArsTechnica, ArsTechnica, 30 June 2025
Verb
  • Jake Paul’s everyday unscented face wash avoids irritating fragrances but is infused with vitamin B3 to help keep your skin hydrated.
    Christopher Murray may earn a commission if you buy through our referral links. This content was created by a team that works independently from the Fox newsroom., FOXNews.com, 30 June 2025
  • Work exposures: If you are frequently exposed to irritating chemicals or substances, your risk of dermatitis is higher.
    Carrie Madormo, Health, 29 June 2025
Noun
  • And that is not to say that sometimes that anger wasn’t righteous, and sometimes those grudges weren’t deserved.
    Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
  • Alongside impossibly strong grannies, Dana must also contend with a dangerous prisoner now enjoying some posthumous freedom and a gun-toting drug dynasty with one almighty grudge.
    Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 10 June 2025
Noun
  • This silliness, the silliness of his arrogance, was actually funny to me.
    Ottessa Moshfegh, New Yorker, 30 June 2025
  • On the dark side, however, Mercury in Leo can spark moments of arrogance and stubbornness.
    Valerie Mesa, People.com, 26 June 2025
Verb
  • Chatterjee notes that this is a brand with strong retention but declining acquisition potential due to eroding external perception.
    Jeff Fromm, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Many of his directives this term have closely mirrored Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda that explicitly prioritizes eroding LGBTQ rights.
    Emily Mae Czachor, CBS News, 28 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gall. Accessed 12 Jul. 2025.

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