temerity

USAGE SUMMARY

"temerity" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe behavior or actions that are taken with too much boldness or confidence, especially when it goes beyond what is appropriate or appropriate in the given context. Example sentence: She showed remarkable temerity by confronting the CEO with her demands.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly Curtis had had enough of Tate Britain: one might surmise that she found the politics at the Tate to be intractable: after all she had the temerity to be not only a woman, but a Scot.

The Guardian - Arts

Ed Miliband and David Cameron both had successful manifesto launches, but the Ukip event was overshadowed by aggressive heckling from Ukip activists directed at a Telegraph journalist who had the temerity to ask why there was just one black face in the document, on the page about overseas aid being cut.

The Guardian

It is reading the same story 873 times, and enduring a tantrum when you have the temerity to finish your child's sentence.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Any report that has the temerity to consider science just as science is immediately reported to the great Party Congress of public opinion.

The Guardian

It was clearly published because the Times had had the temerity to write about the circumstances surrounding the resignation of the Telegraph's chief political commentator, Peter Oborne.

The Guardian

The cinema featured in No director Pablo Larraín's earlier film Tony Manero, where the psychopathic John Travolta-idolising protagonist beats the elderly projectionist to death for having the temerity to show the scheduled film rather than Saturday Night Fever.

The Guardian - Film

This was borne out in their frankly unhinged attacks on Planned Parenthood, the HPV vaccine, insurance coverage of contraception and, as I discussed last week, the puritanical mood they created that encouraged President Obama to restrict access to Plan B, or the morning-after pill, none of which have much to do with abortion and everything to do with women's temerity to have sex.

The Guardian - Opinion

With the utmost temerity I question this.

The Guardian

They walked out of negotiations no fewer than three times over the summer because the Democrats had the temerity to propose tax increases.

The Economist

On April 21st the Energy and Commerce Committee of the House of Representatives will excoriate the latest bunch of hapless bosses: those who had the temerity to apply accounting standard ASC 740.That is the rule under which several big firms have tallied billions of dollars of new costs stemming from the recent passage of the health-care reforms championed by Barack Obama.

The Economist

These marshes, which some scholars believe are the area referred to in the Bible as the Garden of Eden, are inhabited by people who have had the temerity to oppose Saddam Hussein.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "temerity" to describe actions that are not just bold but also considered inappropriate or disrespectful in the given context. This adds a layer of judgment to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "temerity" when you simply want to describe bravery or courage. "Temerity" implies a negative judgment, suggesting the boldness is excessive or unwarranted.

Linguistic Context

The noun "temerity" functions to denote a state of boldness or audacity, often in a way that is considered reckless or inappropriate. Ludwig AI indicates that the word is correctly used in written English, and the examples confirm its usage in describing actions that overstep accepted boundaries.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Formal & Business

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "temerity" is a noun denoting reckless boldness or audacity, often implying a negative judgment. Ludwig AI confirms that this word is correctly used in written English. It frequently appears in news and media, though less so in casual conversation. When using "temerity", it's important to ensure that you intend to convey not just boldness, but also a sense of inappropriateness or disrespect. Alternatives like "audacity", "recklessness", and "impudence" may be more suitable depending on the specific context. While "temerity" is used across a variety of sources, the most authoritative sources include The Economist and The Guardian.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

reckless audacity

Highlights the combination of recklessness and boldness.

foolhardy courage

Emphasizes the foolishness of the bravery.

impudent behavior

Focuses on the disrespectful nature of the action.

brazen effrontery

Underscores the shamelessness of the conduct.

presumptuousness

Highlights the act of overstepping boundaries.

audacious impudence

Combines boldness with a lack of respect.

bold arrogance

Emphasizes the superior attitude behind the boldness.

shameless audacity

Highlights the lack of shame in the action.

effrontery

A more concise synonym focusing on impudence.

gall

An informal term for impudence or audacity.

FAQs

How to use "temerity" in a sentence?

"Temerity" is used to describe reckless boldness or audacity. For example: "He had the "temerity" to question the CEO's decisions in front of the entire company."

What can I say instead of "temerity"?

You can use alternatives like "audacity", "recklessness", or "impudence" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "temerity" or "timidity"?

"Temerity" and "timidity" are antonyms. "Temerity" means reckless boldness, while "timidity" means shyness or lack of courage. They should not be used interchangeably.

What's the difference between "temerity" and "audacity"?

While both "temerity" and "audacity" refer to boldness, "temerity" often implies a negative connotation, suggesting the boldness is foolish or inappropriate. "Audacity" is more neutral and can even be positive in certain contexts.