VocabularyBasePractice words

Meaning & use

temerity

noun·Advancedformaldisapproving

Last updated

UK/təˈmer.ə.ti/
US/təˈmer.ə.t̬i/
Usage warning: this word is disapproving. It shows a negative opinion, so take care with who and what you use it about.

Meanings

  1. noununcountabledisapproving

    Rash boldness in doing something that most people would think too daring or rude.

    Grammar: Uncountable, and nearly always in the pattern have the temerity to do something.

    Patterns

    • have the temerity to do something
    • the temerity of someone

    He had the temerity to ask for a raise on his first day.

    I could hardly believe the temerity of the man to interrupt the speaker.

    She showed great temerity in questioning the director's decision.

  2. noununcountableold-fashioned

    Reckless courage that ignores risk or danger.

    Grammar: Less common than the first sense, and slightly old-fashioned.

    Patterns

    • the temerity to challenge something

    Only a person of great temerity would climb the glacier without a guide.

    The explorer's temerity astonished his companions.

    They admired his temerity but feared for his safety.

Common combinations

have the temerity to
She had the temerity to criticize the chef in his own kitchen.
the sheer temerity
The sheer temerity of the request left us speechless.
show temerity
The intern showed temerity by correcting the CEO.
with temerity
He spoke with temerity before the council.
the temerity of the claim
The temerity of the claim annoyed the committee.

Synonyms and how they differ

nerve
Nerve is the informal everyday word for the same cheeky boldness, as in what a nerve.
audacity
Audacity can be neutral or even admiring, whereas temerity almost always signals disapproval.
gall
Gall expresses annoyance at rudeness and is more informal than temerity.
impudence
Impudence stresses disrespect toward people of higher rank, with less hint of risk.

Opposites

timiditycaution

Word family

temerarious adjective
a rare literary word meaning recklessly bold
temerariously adverb
in a recklessly bold way, very rare

Commonly confused: temerity or timidity? temerity or temperament?

temerity vs timidity

Timidity is the opposite of temerity, since it means shyness and lack of courage, though the two words look alike.

temerity vs temperament

Temperament is a person's natural character, not boldness.

Practice

The new employee had the ____ to correct the manager in front of the whole team.

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “temerity”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Your sentence stays on this page and is not sent anywhere.

Explore more words