temerity
/tɪˈmɛrɪti
/noun [mass noun]
Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity: no one had the temerity to question his conclusions...
- And this Minister has the audacity and temerity to try to say that that is listening to the people.
- The astonishment at Exeter's temerity to claim the lead had barely subsided when the Grecians doubled their advantage.
- Don't you think it'll have something to do with your act, I venture, receiving an affronted look for my temerity.
Synonyms
audacity, boldness, audaciousness, nerve, effrontery, impudence, impertinence, cheek, barefaced cheek, gall, presumption, presumptuousness, brazenness, forwardness, front, rashness;
daring
informal face, neck, brass neck, brass
North American informal chutzpah
informal, dated hide
British informal, dated crust
rare procacity, assumption
Origin
Late Middle English: from Latin temeritas, from temere 'rashly'.