temerity

noun

I doubt they'll have the temerity to print these accusations

Syn:

audacity, nerve, effrontery, impudence, impertinence, cheek, gall, presumption; daring; informal face, front, neck, chutzpah

••

temerity, audacity, effrontery, foolhardiness, gall, impetuosity, rashness

The line that divides boldness from foolishness or stupidity is often a fine one. Someone who rushes hastily into a situation without thinking about the consequences might be accused of rashness, while temerity implies exposing oneself needlessly to danger while failing to estimate one's chances of success (she had the temerity to criticize her teacher in front of the class). Audacity describes a different kind of boldness, one that disregards moral standards or social conventions (he had the audacity to ask her if she would mind paying for the trip). Someone who behaves with foolhardiness is reckless or downright foolish (climbing the mountain after dark was foolhardiness and everyone knew it), while impetuosity describes an eager impulsiveness or behavior that is sudden, rash, and sometimes violent (his impetuosity had landed him in trouble before). Gall and effrontery are always derogatory terms. Effrontery is a more formal word for the flagrant disregard of the rules of propriety and courtesy (she had the effrontery to call the president by his first name), while gall is more colloquial and suggests outright insolence (he was the only one who had the gall to tell the boss off).