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 The idea was supported by nearly all the members of the World Health Assembly, but Beijing decided to punish Canberra for its temerity. Matt Pottinger, Foreign Affairs, 23 Aug. 2021 Moyers had his enemies for having the temerity to criticize Ronald Reagan. Dean Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 23 Feb. 2025 Chuck Schumer wore a sense of betrayal on his face when Kristen Welker of NBC News had the temerity to confront him with his own remarks. Noah Rothman, National Review, 20 Feb. 2025 In the beginning, many scoffed at the temerity of a peanut farmer and one-term governor running for the highest office in the land. Scott Kraft, Los Angeles Times, 29 Dec. 2024 See All Example Sentences for temerity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temerity
Noun
  • Ignoring the reason Fernandes Anderson won’t be back to join her former colleagues made for some moments of head-smacking irony and sheer gall.
    Boston Herald editorial staff, Boston Herald, 27 June 2025
  • Queen, not yet a high school upperclassman, showed some gall.
    Sam Cohn, Baltimore Sun, 25 June 2025
Noun
  • King has been out since mid-May with a nerve impingement near his right shoulder and is essentially in build-up mode.
    Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • The researchers employed a range of advanced laboratory techniques to investigate nerve regeneration.
    New Atlas, New Atlas, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • When envisioning an effective leader, many people imagine a larger-than-life figure who commands attention through sheer charisma and audacity.
    Mark LaSota, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025
  • This, mind you, at a time when Black men were killed for talking to White women, killed for looking at White women, killed for having the audacity to just coexist with White women.
    Suzette Hackney, USA Today, 19 July 2025
Noun
  • Putin’s arrogance in wanting total Ukrainian surrender could prove his downfall, if only Trump sticks to his position.
    Daniel Fried, Time, 15 July 2025
  • The arrogance wasn’t hers alone; many people have tried to assign the Tully monster a place in the tree of life since it was first discovered 70 years ago.
    Cody Cottier, Discover Magazine, 8 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Temerity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temerity. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on temerity

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