TEMERITY Synonyms: 63 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

Q: 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

temerity

noun

tə-ˈmer-ə-tē

Definition of temerity next

as in gall

shameless boldness she had the temerity to ask me if she could borrow some money even though she never repaid the last loan

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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 But despite being on the slight side, temerity has never been an issue for Locmelis. —

Steve Conroy, Boston Herald, 10 Sep. 2025 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 See All Example Sentences for temerity

Recent Examples of Synonyms for temerity

Noun

Imagine having the gall to besmirch the name of a young mother killed for trying to speak up for her neighbors or of an ICU nurse shot in the back for trying to tend to a woman who had been pepper-sprayed in the face.

— Sasha Abramsky, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026
The documents that Dooley was now handling were barely yellowed, their edges lightly frayed, the oak gall ink ranging from brown to black.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026