audacity

[ aw-das-i-tee ]

noun

, plural au·dac·i·ties.

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of audacity¹

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

Example Sentences

Dahlia Lithwick is joined by Yale history professor Timothy Snyder to talk about his new book “On Freedom” and to have the audacity to re-imagine freedom on the precipice of an election that could turn the United States hard right into tyranny.

From Slate

It also stokes suspicions about Harris’ lack of audacity, grasp of Americans’ aspirations and mentalities, ability to add anything to what Biden has already done and commitment to the truth.

From Salon

Baker wrote the part for her, and Madison returned the favor with a star-making performance, leaning into Ani’s audacity while revealing the fragile façade, the vulnerabilities and self-deception lurking underneath.

From Los Angeles Times

Still, the former president was wowed by the audacity of a Bible as merch, seeming to think it was beyond parody.

From Salon

Almost certainly not, but this innings will be remembered for its sheer audacity, the dismantling of a bowling attack to reach 300 in 310 deliveries, the second-fastest triple of all time.

From BBC

Related Words

• chutzpah
• gall
• guts
• spunk