Synonym Chooser

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

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

outraged at his effrontery

When is it sensible to use audacity instead of effrontery?

Although the words audacity and effrontery have much in common, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When might hardihood be a better fit than effrontery?

The words hardihood and effrontery can be used in similar contexts, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

How does the word nerve relate to other synonyms for effrontery?

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 would temerity be a good substitute for effrontery?

The words temerity and effrontery are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, 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 effrontery Wu, notably, is framed as the instigator in the relationship; Cheung has a few priceless reaction shots, as Lam can’t believe—or, ultimately, resist—his student’s seductive effrontery. Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 23 July 2024 Blocking the medical board from physician regulation is the worst effrontery to medical professionalism, puts the public at unacceptable risk, and might be a place for bad physician actors to be shrouded and protected. Joel B. Zivot, STAT, 26 Feb. 2024 These companies apparently have the effrontery to resist the attempts to reduce their access to capital being organized, primarily, by a largely unaccountable cabal of activists, financial institutions, and state pension funds. Andrew Stuttaford, National Review, 7 Jan. 2024 Miller, putting a spin of effrontery on every line, is the perfect actor to play this corkscrew superhero. Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 6 June 2023 See All Example Sentences for effrontery
Recent Examples of Synonyms for effrontery
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
  • 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
  • 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
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
  • Temu is a low-cost online marketplace that has had the temerity to achieve popularity with American buyers while also being Chinese.
    John Tamny, Forbes.com, 13 June 2025
  • The murmurs in the ballpark were that Dave Roberts wouldn’t have the temerity to not send Kershaw back out for the sixth inning.
    Dan Freedman, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Effrontery.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/effrontery. Accessed 30 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on effrontery

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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