Audacity

Definitions

1. Insolent boldness, especially when imprudent or unconventional.
   countable, uncountable
2. Fearlessness, intrepidity or daring, especially with confident disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions.
   countable, uncountable

Equivalents

Examples

“The brash private had the audacity to criticize the general.”

“Somebody never pays his loans, yet he has the audacity to ask⟳ the bank for money.”

““Oh?” she said. “So you have⟳ decided to revise⟳ my guest list for me? You have⟳ the nerve, the – the –” I saw⟳ she needed helping out. “Audacity,” I said, throwing her the line. “The audacity to dictate to me who I shall have⟳ in my house.” It should have⟳ been “whom”, but I let⟳ it go. “You have⟳ the –” “Crust.” “– the immortal rind,” she amended, and I had to admit⟳ it was stronger, “to tell⟳ me whom” – she got it right that time – “I may entertain at Brinkley Court and who” – wrong again – “I may not.””

CEFR level