CHUTZPAH Synonyms: 60 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'chutzpah' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of chutzpah are audacity , cheek , effrontery , gall , hardihood , nerve , and temerity . While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," nerve , cheek , gall , and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery . // the nerve of that guy // has the cheek to call herself a singer // had the gall to demand proof // the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Q: When is 'audacity' a more appropriate choice than 'chutzpah'?

In some situations, the words audacity and chutzpah are roughly equivalent. However, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence. // an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

Q: When can 'effrontery' be used instead of 'chutzpah'?

The meanings of effrontery and chutzpah largely overlap; however, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy. // outraged at his effrontery

Q: Where would 'hardihood' be a reasonable alternative to 'chutzpah'?

The words hardihood and chutzpah are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance. // admired for her hardihood

Q: When could 'temerity' be used to replace 'chutzpah'?

Although the words temerity and chutzpah have much in common, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger. // had the temerity to refuse

chutzpah

noun

ˈhu̇t-spə

variants also chutzpa or hutzpah or hutzpa

Definition of chutzpah next

as in gall

shameless boldness had the chutzpah to demand that he be treated as a special case and be given priority in settling his insurance claim

Synonyms & Similar Words

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How is the word chutzpah different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of chutzpah are audacity, cheek, effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy

has the cheek to call herself a singer

had the gall to demand proof

the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

When is audacity a more appropriate choice than chutzpah?

In some situations, the words audacity and chutzpah are roughly equivalent. However, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When can effrontery be used instead of chutzpah?

The meanings of effrontery and chutzpah largely overlap; however, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

Where would hardihood be a reasonable alternative to chutzpah?

The words hardihood and chutzpah are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When could temerity be used to replace chutzpah?

Although the words temerity and chutzpah have much in common, temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of chutzpah Compiled annually by a group led by Franklin Leonard, a recipient of a Gotham tribute award this year, Variety waits with childlike anticipation each year to see which scripts film executives have really been buzzing over — but haven’t had the budget or the chutzpah to put into production just yet. —

Matt Donnelly, Variety, 10 Dec. 2024 Cher guides the reader through the first half of her inimitable life and career with chutzpah. —

Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024 Mark Goldstein, Boca Raton Beyond chutzpah Some of former President Donald Trump’s criticisms of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz on some subjects are chutzpadik beyond belief. —

Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 9 Aug. 2024 That took some chutzpah, given that Israel sits on the Middle East’s only nuclear weapons stockpile—but before milk and honey, Israel has always been a land flowing with chutzpah. —

Daniel Levy, Foreign Affairs, 12 Aug. 2015 See all Example Sentences for chutzpah

Recent Examples of Synonyms for chutzpah

Noun

Our study also identified other risks, including low blood pressure, sleep problems, headaches, formation of kidney stones, and gall bladder disease and diseases associated with the bile ducts.

— Ziyad Al-Aly, The Conversation, 22 Jan. 2025
Coordinators have rarely had the gall to try to run it in those spots, but the Lions did and scored.

— Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025