cheek

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Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of cheek are audacity, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, 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

When is audacity a more appropriate choice than cheek?

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

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When would effrontery be a good substitute for cheek?

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

outraged at his effrontery

When can hardihood be used instead of cheek?

While the synonyms hardihood and cheek are close in meaning, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When might temerity be a better fit than cheek?

The words temerity and cheek 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 cheek The first shot was directly in Williams’ face, entering at the left cheek and exiting through his neck. Rafael Olmeda, Sun Sentinel, 22 July 2025 Trigeminal neuralgia causes bursts of severe, shock-like pain on one side of the face, often in the cheek and jaw area, which can cause tooth pain.15 Angina occurs when one or more of the arteries that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients are narrowed or blocked. Colleen Doherty, Verywell Health, 21 July 2025 Mindy Kaling Kaling matched the backdrop of the red carpet on Thursday night with a glossy purple lip and rosy blush on her cheeks. Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 18 July 2025 The final scene is a clip from a home video of a young Amy kissing Iva on the cheek. Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 16 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for cheek
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheek
Noun
  • The kind guard in the lobby and my mother’s terrible, open mouth.
    Rebecca Chace July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
  • Vásquez Lasso hit Montano in the mouth area, and Montano shot the officer in the head, arm and leg as children and others in a nearby playground took cover.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 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
  • After gently capturing the gull in a pillowcase, Shaffer affixed a small, lightweight GPS tracking device to her tail, reports SFGate’s Amanda Bartlett.
    Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 July 2025
  • There was this sentiment in the air off the tail of these Forever shows.
    Maya Georgi, Rolling Stone, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Find common ground with others, and confront disrespect appropriately. 4.
    Susan Madsen, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • No disrespect to Lafferty, who at times has been great at his role, but to call this outcome anything but disappointing is an understatement.
    Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 1 July 2025
Noun
  • People were essentially imprisoned in their homes, yet Newsom had the gall to dine mask-free at French Laundry with lobbyists.
    Houman Hemmati, Oc Register, 20 July 2025
  • And for all this some institutions have the gall to charge undergraduates upwards of $100,000 a year!
    Adrian Wooldridge, Twin Cities, 6 May 2025
Noun
  • Inside was an open-plan kitchen, new bathrooms, exposed beams, a laundry room, floor-to-ceiling windows and a second-floor, street-facing balcony.
    Thomas Fuller, New York Times, 24 July 2025
  • Palm trees act as a privacy buffer at the front of the double-gated home, while four rows of vertical wooden beams, presented to dramatic effect by golden uplighting, make a bold first impression from the driveway.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 23 July 2025
Noun
  • Paradise got an influx of senior sass when the Goldens arrived on the beach.
    EW.com, EW.com, 16 July 2025
  • Taylor is giving Rachel sass for impulsively buying an Hermès Birkin bag.
    Christian Allaire, Vogue, 3 July 2025
Noun
  • When Watkins flipped open the visor of his helmet, Donnelly’s face had turned blue.
    Don Riddell, CNN Money, 26 July 2025
  • After getting his start on Saturday Night Live in the 1990s, Sandler quickly became one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces.
    Declan Gallagher, EW.com, 26 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheek. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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