Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of temerity are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, and nerve. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

When could audacity be used to replace temerity?

While the synonyms audacity and temerity are close in meaning, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When might effrontery be a better fit than temerity?

While in some cases nearly identical to temerity, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

In what contexts can hardihood take the place of temerity?

In some situations, the words hardihood and temerity are roughly equivalent. However, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

How is nerve related to other words for temerity?

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

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 temerity Most of the smashing is done by Tamburlaine, a Scythian shepherd by birth, who rises to the peaks of power, lays waste to one kingdom after another, and has the temerity, at the climax of Part 1, not to die. Anthony Lane, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025 And when Hutch’s son gets into a fight at the arcade, drawing in a local adult who has the temerity to give Hutch’s daughter a shove, Hutch can’t help himself; he’s got to show these bullies who’s boss. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 13 Aug. 2025 That’s because every time a Chinese company has the temerity to succeed stateside, protectionist impulses within the political and administrative classes get to work on discrediting the company with charges of – yes – espionage. John Tamny, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025 In this case, a jealous pope (President Trump) delights in humiliating an upstart bishop (Gov. DeSantis) for having the temerity to challenge his supremacy as Autocrat In Chief. Ron Cunningham, The Orlando Sentinel, 8 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for temerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temerity
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
  • 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
  • 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

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Cite this Entry

“Temerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temerity. Accessed 13 Oct. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on temerity

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