Definition of audacitynext

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of audacity are cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When can effrontery be used instead of audacity?

The synonyms effrontery and audacity are sometimes interchangeable, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When might hardihood be a better fit than audacity?

The words hardihood and audacity are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

How is nerve related to other words for audacity?

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

When is temerity a more appropriate choice than audacity?

While the synonyms temerity and audacity are close in meaning, 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 audacity There are plenty of legitimate reasons to hate wealthy people who have the audacity to keep achieving; there’s no need to invent new ones. Hillary Busis, Vanity Fair, 16 Jan. 2026 Sylvie's storylines are ridiculous, her wardrobe obscene, her audacity unparalleled. Sam Reed, Glamour, 6 Jan. 2026 The sheer audacity of the recent Louvre heist has whetted us readers’ appetites for heist stories—space heists, all the better! Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026 Far more are coming in with a sense of audacity and agency. Harvard Business Review, 30 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for audacity
Recent Examples of Synonyms for audacity
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
Noun
  • When bleeding or swelling inside one of these compartments builds up, pressure rises and begins to squeeze the muscles, nerves and blood vessels.
    Michal Ruprecht, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026
  • On the health care side, students use a $40,000 digital anatomy table that displays the virtual image of a real cadaver to study bones, nerves and organs in layers.
    Wilborn P. Nobles III, Dallas Morning News, 10 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Despite trariffs, military power, dollar dominance and presidential arrogance, isolation, America will triumph.
    Letters to the Editor, Hartford Courant, 23 Jan. 2026
  • Adriana is immediately aware of his confidence—bordering on arrogance—but also senses potential chemistry in their skating styles.
    Isabella Wandermurem, Time, 22 Jan. 2026
Noun
  • And Zelensky just hasn’t backed down, and Zelensky’s had the temerity to take him on, on a number of occasions, to push back.
    David Frum, The Atlantic, 21 Jan. 2026
  • The first trial session for The Great Lakes Suite took place about a year and a half ago — which Hearn and Bidini say nobody had the temerity to record at the time.
    Gary Graff, Billboard, 21 Nov. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Audacity.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/audacity. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on audacity

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