temerity

[ tuh-mer-i-tee ]

noun

1. reckless boldness; rashness.

   Synonyms: foolhardy, effrontery, audacity

temerity

/ ˌtɛməˈrɛərɪəs; tɪˈmɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. rashness or boldness

Derived Forms

• temerarious, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of temerity¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English temeryte, from Latin temeritās “hap, chance, rashness,” equivalent to temer(e) “by chance, rashly” + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of temerity¹

C15: from Latin temeritās accident, from temere at random

Example Sentences

So much of the pushback describes the memo as if it targets virtually any parent with the temerity to question their school board officials.

From Washington Post

Should the caller have the temerity to ask where they were, the phone call would be quietly ended.

From The Daily Beast

Some time ago, I wrote a blog post in which I had the temerity to question the validity of chronic Lyme diagnoses.

From The Daily Beast

Stalin-worship aside, he had the temerity to tell truths about Hitler and his war machine that many others preferred to ignore.

From The Daily Beast

Just two weeks ago, The New York Times Magazine had the temerity to ask, “Has the Libertarian Moment Finally Arrived?”

From The Daily Beast

Nor is it where the gunman then viciously pistol whips his victim repeatedly for having the temerity not to die.

From The Daily Beast

Who would have the temerity, in such an hour, to oppose the affectionate demonstration?

From Project Gutenberg

The temerity of Westmacott, whose nature was notoriously timid, had surprised him for a moment.

From Project Gutenberg

And his friends gasped at his temerity and trembled for him, not knowing what grounds he had for counting himself unassailable.

From Project Gutenberg

And he would cower in the background blushing his absurd little blushes at his second-hand temerity.

From Project Gutenberg

Beginning an uncouth lad, he became a sea fighter whose temerity outranks all.

From Project Gutenberg