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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
Jason, who Reed has the gall to say might not be worth avenging, does Helen one more good turn from beyond the grave. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024 Chris Rock got a hand (and a gall bladder) from one of his old Saturday Night Live castmates this week. Dave Nemetz, TVLine, 14 Dec. 2024
Verb
This fiction will be galling to some people, but deeply reassuring to others. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024 Losing four in a row after clinching a thrilling series opener at Hyderabad was galling. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 4 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gall
Noun
  • Ultimately, restrictions on vacant CPS property sales are part of a broader problem, and that’s education officials’ open hostility toward alternative education models.
    The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025
  • Then a decade of talks crashed into President Trump’s hostility toward Canada.
    Karen Weise, New York Times, 13 May 2025
Noun
  • Two years later — after moving out of the house and into the garage — Ellie is working up the nerve to tackle her issue with Joel head-on.
    Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 May 2025
  • Inflammation makes the corneal nerves more sensitive in people with dry eyes.
    Sarah Hudgens, Health, 17 May 2025
Verb
  • For me, that means flying out of and into the same airports, using the same airline, sitting in the same seat number on both flights, and wearing my favorite travel pants: the G4Free Wide-leg Pants.
    Emily Belfiore, Travel + Leisure, 11 May 2025
  • Cannon wears her children on her sleeve — literally.
    Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 11 May 2025
Verb
  • That doesn’t mean the implication doesn’t bother him.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2025
  • Or Xander Schauffele, the defending PGA champion who is surely not bothered by the lack of attention on him early this week.
    Brody Miller, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Use your hands: Since washcloths and sponges can irritate the skin, apply cleansers using your fingers, moving then over the skin in a circular motion.
    Mark Gurarie, Verywell Health, 14 May 2025
  • Aggressive or improper neck manipulation can irritate or compress nerves in your cervical spine, causing pain, numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling that radiates into your shoulders, arms, or hands.
    Lindsay Curtis, Health, 12 May 2025
Noun
  • The daughter of the trickster god Anansi, Abena spent her entire life terrified that her dad would lose her in a bet, and still bears a grudge that the Doctor couldn't take her away.
    Richard Edwards, Space.com, 10 May 2025
  • Football folk have memories that would impress elephants and a mafioso’s capacity for holding grudges.
    Michael Walker, New York Times, 9 May 2025
Noun
  • Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way.
    Jeannie Suk Gersen, New Yorker, 15 May 2025
  • The Knicks have pulled it off by being resilient, near perfect in spurts and with the help of arrogance from the opponent.
    James L. Edwards III, New York Times, 15 May 2025
Verb
  • Yes, the minerals in hard water stains can eventually erode the metal fixtures and scratch the glass and tiles.
    Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 10 May 2025
  • But the collisions were brutal, eroding Means’ game in short time.
    Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gall. Accessed 25 May. 2025.

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