Synonyms of temerity

temerity

noun

tə-ˈmer-ə-tē 

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

• gall
• nerve
• audacity
• arrogance
• effrontery
• chutzpah
• confidence
• presumption
• brashness
• brazenness
• face
• presumptuousness
• pertness
• brass
• crust
• cheek
• audaciousness
• assurance
• sauciness
• cheekiness
• sauce
• hardihood
• impudence
• disrespect
• nerviness
• brassiness
• impertinence
• insolence
• rudeness
• self-confidence
• cockiness
• overconfidence
• self-assurance
• inconsiderateness
• impoliteness
• incivility
• inconsideration
• sanguinity
• sass
• ungraciousness
• back talk
• swagger
• discourteousness
• swash

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• timidity
• modesty
• hesitancy
• diffidence
• shyness
• bashfulness
• timorousness
• manners
• courtesy
• faintheartedness
• timidness
• graciousness
• civility
• gentility
• courteousness
• mannerliness

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

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

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