audacity

American  

[aw-das-i-tee] / ɔˈdæs ɪ ti /

noun

plural

audacities

1. boldness or daring, especially with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions.

   Synonyms:

   foolhardiness, temerity, grit, spunk, nerve

   Antonyms:

   prudence, discretion

2. effrontery or insolence; shameless boldness.

   His questioner's audacity shocked the lecturer.

   Synonyms:

   brashness, impertinence, impudence

   Antonyms:

   discretion, prudence

3. Usually audacities audacious or particularly bold or daring acts or statements.

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Etymology

Origin of audacity

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English audacite, equivalent to Latin audāc- (stem of audāx “bold, daring”) + -ity

Example Sentences

And your vote is the most powerful way to honor a man who dedicated his life to reminding us that bravery is having the audacity to care.

From Los Angeles Times

On the page, it’s a master class in theatrical translation and formal audacity.

From The Wall Street Journal

It bragged about the academic prestige of its schools and reminded its athletes that they were students first, sneering at all those other schools that had the audacity to win at all costs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Elevating the storylines of younger characters helps bridge the age gap created when the core cast of kid actors had the audacity to grow up over the show’s run.

From Los Angeles Times

Caillebotte chronicled his circle and his family of brothers, and depicted modern life and sport, painting with audacity and an emphasis on geometric underpinnings.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• chutzpah
• gall
• guts
• spunk