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gall

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verb

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as in to irritate
to make sore by continued rubbing tie your shoes so they don't gall your heels sliding on and off like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

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

In what contexts can audacity take the place of gall?

In some situations, the words audacity and gall are roughly equivalent. However, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When could effrontery be used to replace gall?

The meanings of effrontery and gall largely overlap; however, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When is hardihood a more appropriate choice than gall?

The synonyms hardihood and gall are sometimes interchangeable, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When might temerity be a better fit than gall?

The words temerity and gall can be used in similar contexts, but 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 gall
Noun
Our study also identified other risks, including low blood pressure, sleep problems, headaches, formation of kidney stones, and gall bladder disease and diseases associated with the bile ducts. Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025 Coordinators have rarely had the gall to try to run it in those spots, but the Lions did and scored. Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025
Verb
The indignity of it is galling. Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 This fiction will be galling to some people, but deeply reassuring to others. Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gall
Noun
  • The hostility of the state intensified with the BBC's 100 Women list, and a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
    Mahrang Baloch, Time, 10 June 2025
  • The hostilities began when Trump lashed out at Musk's criticism of the Republican tax-cut and spending bill, and quickly escalated into an all-out online brawl on Trump's Truth Social and Musk's X, with prominent businessmen, analysts and political names weighing in on the fight.
    Anniek Bao,Dylan Butts,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Potassium: Supports blood pressure and muscle and nerve function.
    Sherri Gordon, Health, 11 June 2025
  • Calcium keeps your bones, muscles, heart, and nerves working properly, but many adults do not get enough.
    Cristina Mutchler, Verywell Health, 11 June 2025
Verb
  • Everybody at Berkeley was wearing those kind of hippie-dippie sandals, but these are a little chicer.
    Lisa Lockwood, Footwear News, 16 June 2025
  • Eventually, Kartel arrives wearing a suit with his locs braided back.
    Natalie Meade, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • In prior birthday events, perhaps a couple arrived early and had a cocktail, but never the rest of the party together, so this hadn’t bothered me before.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 6 June 2025
  • Whatever discomfort the 38-year-old was feeling didn’t appear to bother him thereafter.
    David Close, CNN Money, 6 June 2025
Verb
  • Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who Trump initially tapped to co-lead DOGE, pushed for an expansion of the program as way to attract global talent, irritating immigration hawks in the conservative movement.
    Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 7 June 2025
  • Use Insect Repellent to Avoid Bug Bites Stinging, biting, and otherwise irritating bugs are prevalent in summer.
    Sarah Richards, Verywell Health, 3 June 2025
Noun
  • The violence all allegedly stemmed from a workplace grudge triggered by a $100 equipment bill from his boss for damage to heavy construction equipment, authorities said.
    Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
  • He’s been too busy winning state titles with the Bruins to get riled up about old grudges.
    Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 2 June 2025
Noun
  • The film sardonically conjures a golden age of interventionist arrogance.
    Richard Brody, New Yorker, 29 May 2025
  • Here are the more common ways insecurities can manifest themselves: • Confidence will turn into arrogance.
    Bill English, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Verb
  • The persistent issue of greenwashing, where investments are promoted as sustainable without verifiable environmental benefits, has eroded trust and slowed market development.
    Edoardo Francesco Sabatino, Forbes.com, 5 June 2025
  • Maryland’s coastlines are eroding at an alarming rate.
    Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 5 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gall. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.

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