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
What unmitigated gall this organization has! Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 11 Aug. 2025 Sprays aren't generally effective because the mites are protected and hidden in leaf folds or galls. Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 9 Aug. 2025
Verb
What’s particularly galling is that many who reap Wall Street trading largesse are quick to point the finger at others over unethical behavior. Boston Herald Editorial Staff, Boston Herald, 4 Sep. 2025 The unions argue that the CSU’s decision not to honor contracts is particularly galling considering the efforts unions made to secure state funding. Amelia Wu, Sacbee.com, 23 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for gall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gall
Noun
  • Tel Aviv activists hold silent vigils mourning Gaza’s children, confronting public hostility with quiet resilience.
    Clayton Davis, Variety, 14 Oct. 2025
  • The end of hostilities could also revive deals like a joint venture between BP and Abu Dhabi’s national oil company, which had been paused during the war.
    Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 14 Oct. 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
Verb
  • Her daughter, who is now 8, bounded down the steps first, wearing a pink bow and a broad smile.
    Melissa Sanchez, ProPublica, 10 Oct. 2025
  • Additionally, people can wear long pants tucked into socks and shirts tucked into pants, according to the press release.
    Caroline Zimmerman, Kansas City Star, 10 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • House Republicans haven’t even bothered to show up to work since the shutdown began.
    David Lightman, Sacbee.com, 9 Oct. 2025
  • What continued to bother him was the strange feeling of impending disaster.
    Marguerite Reiss, Outdoor Life, 9 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Combining three different actives (AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs) in one product without totally irritating the skin seems like an impossible task, yet Some by Mi has accomplished it with this ease.
    Conçetta Ciarlo, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2025
  • Always dilute apple cider vinegar with water and drink through a straw to avoid damaging tooth enamel and irritating the esophagus.
    Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 2 Oct. 2025
Noun
  • Franklin police homed in on Overstreet as the suspect in Eckart's murder, while Columbus detectives investigating Myers' death focused on Hubbell, her co-worker who allegedly held a grudge against her over health insurance issues.
    Kristine Phillips, IndyStar, 3 Oct. 2025
  • That’s a long grudge that Ben holds.
    Demetrius Patterson, HollywoodReporter, 30 Sep. 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
Verb
  • When people stop looking for work, unemployment improves on paper even as productive capacity erodes in reality.
    Katica Roy, Fortune, 15 Oct. 2025
  • This has eroded the cash flow and equity farmers need to withstand changes in the market.
    Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 15 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gall. Accessed 16 Oct. 2025.

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