audacity

[aw-das-i-tee] / ɔˈdæs ɪ ti /

NOUN

recklessness, daring

Synonyms

STRONGEST

boldness courage guts

STRONG

adventurousness audaciousness bravery dauntlessness enterprise fearlessness intrepidity nerve rashness valor venturesomeness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cowardice fear timidity

WEAK

care carefulness caution gentility humility meekness modesty reserve yielding

NOUN

arrogance, presumptuousness

Synonyms

STRONGEST

chutzpah gall guts spunk

STRONG

assurance audaciousness brass cheek cockiness crust defiance effrontery forwardness gutsiness hardiness impertinence impudence insolence moxie nerve rudeness shamelessness stuff temerity

WEAK

disrespectfulness

Antonyms

STRONGEST

cowardice

STRONG

caution fear humility manners modesty politeness respect shyness timidity

WEAK

care carefulness gentility meekness reserve yielding

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

I had a lot of audacity back then.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 30, 2026

She was made to feel like a "terrible person" for "having the audacity to complain", she added.

From BBC • Jan. 16, 2026

Gets an extra mark for the audacity of batting at number three.

From BBC • Dec. 27, 2025

No one has the audacity to try to unseat him, or even to say that he won’t be in charge forever.

From Slate • Dec. 23, 2025

His own audacity, now that he saw it, took his breath away.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor