Temerity
/təˈmerəti/noun
The act of being very brave and bold, more than is reasonable or sensible.
He had the temerity to question the decision of his boss in a meeting.
Often appears as...
- have the temerity
- show temerity
Usage tips
Disapproving
noun
The act of being very brave and bold, more than is reasonable or sensible.
He had the temerity to question the decision of his boss in a meeting.
Often appears as...
- have the temerity
- show temerity
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Excessive Boldness
Temerity suggests a boldness that exceeds the limits of confidence into recklessness or disrespect.
She showed temerity by interrupting the director mid-speech.
Pro Tip 2/3Negative Connotation
While boldness can be positive, temerity often implies negative judgement of someone's behavior.
His temerity in taking credit for others' work angered his colleagues.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Sensitive
The appropriateness of temerity depends on context; in some situations, it might be admired.
In the startup world, investors sometimes praise the temerity of young entrepreneurs.
Compare with
audacityboldeffronteryimpudencenervepresumptionrashreckless
Never forget "Temerity"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
Is civility a sham? PIPE...
was that you could call out your opponent for going low, and then take advantage of the moral high ground to go as low or lower, because calling for civility sets up the speaker as a model of decorum while implicitly, subtly stigmatizing anyone with the temerity to disagree as uncivil.
Video examples
Is civility a sham? PIPE...
was that you could call out your opponent for going low, and then take advantage of the moral high ground to go as low or lower, because calling for civility sets up the speaker as a model of decorum while implicitly, subtly stigmatizing anyone with the temerity to disagree as uncivil.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Bob Stoops
American Coach
There was a period of time where the two most wanted guys in the state of Oklahoma were me and Josh Heupel. Me for suggesting that you could throw the ball at Oklahoma and in the Big 12. And Josh Heupel for having the temerity to play quarterback and not be able to run faster than 5 flat.
Quote examples
Joe Wurzelbacher
American Celebrity
Yes, I have a website that puts out conservative news. Yes, I am part owner of a gun company. Yes, I'm a Republican who was cast into the limelight for having the temerity to confront Barack Obama on the question of redistributing wealth... But I'm a working man, and I'm working.
Quote examples
Sterling Hayden
John Brown was one of my longtime heroes, and it was with no little amount of temerity that I accepted the role. There are some things I am hesitant about, and playing a hero of mine is one of them.
Quote examples
Michiko Kakutani
American Critic
President Trump not only lies with astonishing temerity and abandon, but those lies connect into equally false narratives that gin up the worst fears and prejudices of his base.
Quote examples
Sarah Millican
Forgive me but I've been tutted at in Paris a fair few times and I still don't know if it's because I was wearing Asda jeans or had the temerity to order food in a restaurant.
Quote examples
Dick Cheney
American Vice President
I've been criticized because I've had the temerity to speak out and done a couple of interviews since I left office. I don't find anything surprising about that.
Quote examples
Kary Mullis
American Scientist
We were fortunate to have the Russians as our childhood enemies. We practiced hiding under our desks in case they had the temerity to drop a nuclear weapon.
Quote examples
Dawn Foster
British Journalist
Sitting on public transport is an occasionally exasperating experience if you have the temerity to attempt travelling while female.
Quote examples
Livy
Roman Historian
Temerity is not always successful.
Quote examples
Bob Stoops
American Coach
There was a period of time where the two most wanted guys in the state of Oklahoma were me and Josh Heupel. Me for suggesting that you could throw the ball at Oklahoma and in the Big 12. And Josh Heupel for having the temerity to play quarterback and not be able to run faster than 5 flat.
Quote examples
Joe Wurzelbacher
American Celebrity
Yes, I have a website that puts out conservative news. Yes, I am part owner of a gun company. Yes, I'm a Republican who was cast into the limelight for having the temerity to confront Barack Obama on the question of redistributing wealth... But I'm a working man, and I'm working.
Quote examples
Sterling Hayden
John Brown was one of my longtime heroes, and it was with no little amount of temerity that I accepted the role. There are some things I am hesitant about, and playing a hero of mine is one of them.
Quote examples
Michiko Kakutani
American Critic
President Trump not only lies with astonishing temerity and abandon, but those lies connect into equally false narratives that gin up the worst fears and prejudices of his base.
Quote examples
Sarah Millican
Forgive me but I've been tutted at in Paris a fair few times and I still don't know if it's because I was wearing Asda jeans or had the temerity to order food in a restaurant.
Quote examples
Dick Cheney
American Vice President
I've been criticized because I've had the temerity to speak out and done a couple of interviews since I left office. I don't find anything surprising about that.
Quote examples
Kary Mullis
American Scientist
We were fortunate to have the Russians as our childhood enemies. We practiced hiding under our desks in case they had the temerity to drop a nuclear weapon.
Quote examples
Dawn Foster
British Journalist
Sitting on public transport is an occasionally exasperating experience if you have the temerity to attempt travelling while female.
Quote examples
Livy
Roman Historian
Temerity is not always successful.
Example 1 of 9
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension