audacity
Gall beyond measure
Audacity is bold daring, often with a hint of recklessness or disregard for normal limits.
It can be admirable—the audacity to challenge authority, to attempt what others won't.
But it frequently carries disapproval, suggesting presumption or impudence: He had the audacity to ask for a raise after missing three deadlines.
The word implies that someone has crossed a line others would respect.
Adventurous courage
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- gutsEntrails or boldness
- chutzpahShameless, admirable audacity
pluck · spunk · mettle · backbone · tenacity · moxie · gall · temerity
Rejection of truth claims
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- incredulityInability to accept something
- outrageFierce moral indignation
- indignationAnger from mistreatment
scandal · gall · nerve · unbelievable · appalling · jaw-dropping · stunning · brazenness
Shameless boldness toward superiors
- insolenceBold, offensive disrespect
- impertinenceRude disregard for propriety
- disrespectLack of regard
- contemptDisdainful disregard
brazenness · shamelessness · irreverence · flippancy · cheekiness · sauciness · cockiness · presumptuousness
Novel creative quality
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- visionAbility to see
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
- trailblazingBeing the first through
groundbreaking · unconventional · disruptive · boundary-pushing · risk-taking · experimentation · inventiveness · unorthodox
daring
Adventurous courage
- fearlessnessComplete lack of dread
- nerveSignal-carrying body fiber
- gutsEntrails or boldness
chutzpah · pluck · spunk · mettle · backbone · tenacity · moxie · gall · temerity · brashness
disbelief
Rejection of truth claims
- astonishmentIntense sudden wonder
- incredulityInability to accept something
- outrageFierce moral indignation
indignation · scandal · gall · nerve · unbelievable · appalling · jaw-dropping · stunning · brazenness · shamelessness
impudence
Shameless boldness toward superiors
- insolenceBold, offensive disrespect
- impertinenceRude disregard for propriety
- disrespectLack of regard
contempt · brazenness · shamelessness · irreverence · flippancy · cheekiness · sauciness · cockiness · presumptuousness · insubordination
originality
Novel creative quality
- creativityCapacity for original thought
- visionAbility to see
- pioneeringFirst to explore territory
trailblazing · groundbreaking · unconventional · disruptive · boundary-pushing · risk-taking · experimentation · inventiveness · unorthodox · maverick
- audacityboldness, brazenness, chutzpah, gall, cheekiness
- couragebravery, resilience, fearlessness, boldness, courage
- heroismbravery, valor, hero, courage, heroism
- valorbravery, courage, gallantry, heroism, fearlessness
- moxiespunk, guts, nerve, grit, pluck
- pushing boundariesboldness, daring, pioneer, maverick, visionary
audacitytimidity
Fearful lack of courage
cowardice · fearfulness · faintheartedness · timorousness · timidness
audacityhumility
Freedom from arrogance
modesty · courtesy · politeness · civility · mannerliness
audacityhumility
Freedom from arrogance
modesty · meekness · diffidence · bashfulness · reserve