the audacity

USAGE SUMMARY

"the audacity" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It refers to someone behaving in a bold or daring manner, often with a touch of arrogance. Example: She had the audacity to ask for a raise after only working here for a month.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

The audacity!

The New York Times

The audacity was gone.

The New York Times - Sports

The audacity of hope?

The New York Times

The audacity is ridiculous.

The Guardian - Music

The audacity was breathtaking.

The Guardian - Sport

You had to admire the audacity.

The New Yorker

What gave him the audacity of hope?

The New Yorker

This is not the audacity of hope.

The New York Times - Books

First, you notice the audacity.

The Guardian - Arts

You almost have to admire the audacity.

The New York Times

She possesses the audacity of hopelessness.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the audacity" to describe actions that are surprisingly bold, often in a way that might be considered disrespectful or shocking. It adds a layer of judgement to the description.

Common error

Avoid using "the audacity" in purely positive contexts. While it can imply boldness, it usually carries a negative connotation of impudence or disrespect. For purely positive boldness, consider "the courage" or "the bravery".

Linguistic Context

"The audacity" primarily functions as a noun phrase that expresses a strong reaction, often negative, to someone's behavior. It encapsulates feelings of shock, disapproval, or surprise at an action deemed excessively bold or impudent. As demonstrated in Ludwig's examples, it highlights actions that push boundaries of social acceptability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the audacity" is a commonly used noun phrase to express strong disapproval or surprise at someone's bold, often impudent, behavior. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and predominantly appears in News & Media. While predominantly negative, its connotations and interpretations can subtly shift based on the context, potentially expressing admiration in certain situations. When using "the audacity", it's important to consider the potential for misinterpretation and to use it appropriately, and be aware that similar expressions such as "the temerity" and "the nerve" can convey similar but slightly different nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the temerity

Focuses more on the impudence or recklessness of the action.

the nerve

Emphasizes the impudence or effrontery of the action.

the gall

Highlights the brazenness and impudence involved.

the cheek

Suggests a level of impudence that is almost playful or amusing.

the impudence

A more formal synonym emphasizing disrespectful behavior.

the boldness

Focuses on the courageous and daring aspect of the action.

the audacity of hope

Specifically refers to a hopeful yet daring outlook, often used in a political context.

the effrontery

Highlights the shamelessness and impudence.

the brazenness

Emphasizes the bold and shameless nature of the action.

the intrepidity

Focuses solely on the fearlessness and bravery.

FAQs

How can I use "the audacity" in a sentence?

"The audacity" is used to express surprise or disapproval at someone's bold or impudent behavior. For example: "He had "the audacity" to ask for a discount after damaging the product."

What's a more formal alternative to "the audacity"?

More formal alternatives include "the temerity", "the impudence", or "the effrontery". These options carry a similar meaning of boldness but are more suitable for formal writing or speech.

Is "the audacity" always negative?

While "the audacity" often carries a negative connotation, it can sometimes be used to express admiration for someone's boldness, particularly if their actions are seen as unconventional or daring. However, such usage is less common and requires careful contextualization.

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

"The audacity" implies boldness that is often seen as impudent or disrespectful, while "the courage" refers to bravery and valor in the face of fear or adversity. The former often involves a disregard for social norms, while the latter is typically associated with moral or ethical actions.