Audacity
[ɔː'dæsɪtɪ] or [ɔ'dæsəti]
Definition
(noun.) aggressive boldness or unmitigated effrontery; 'he had the audacity to question my decision'.
(noun.) fearless daring.
Editor: Roxanne--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Daring spirit, resolution, or confidence; venturesomeness.
(n.) Reckless daring; presumptuous impudence; -- implying a contempt of law or moral restraints.
Inputed by Cecile
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Boldness, daring, fearlessness, courage, intrepidity, venturesomeness, hardihood.[2]. Impudence, insolence, impertinence, sauciness, effrontery, presumptuousness, presumption, assurance, face, front, brass, CHEEK.
Inputed by Deborah
Synonyms and Antonyms
SYN:Boldness, rashness, temerity, recklessness, hardihood
ANT:Caution, self-preservation, timidity, calculation, forethought, foresight,diffidence, inadventurousness
Typist: Mason
Examples
- These revolutions require a rare combination of personal audacity and social patience. Walter Lippmann. A Preface to Politics.
- He flattered himself that it was opportunity, not audacity, which had failed him. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Fanny looked very angry too, and her husband was all in a fright at his sister's audacity. Jane Austen. Sense and Sensibility.
- You puzzle me, Jane: your look and tone of sorrowful audacity perplex and pain me. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- This audacity from a young woman is more than I can bear. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- With your usual happy mixture of cunning and audacity, you have got him. Arthur Conan Doyle. The Return of Sherlock Holmes.
- Astounding insular audacity! Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- What are you, I should like to know,' pursued Mr Boffin, 'that you were to have the audacity to follow up this young lady? Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- And as he talked on, he grew quite bold, and actually had the audacity to ask Miss Rebecca for whom she was knitting the green silk purse? William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
- Why, damn their audacity, so they have,' said Captain Boldwig, as the crumbs and fragments that were strewn upon the grass met his eye. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- It was a characteristic speech, and sounded daring, but audacity becomes young people, and Amy's ambition had a good foundation. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- I discerned he was now neither angry nor shocked at my audacity. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- Tis a kind of audacity to call such general opinions in question, and may subject one to censure. Benjamin Franklin. Memoirs of Benjamin Franklin.
- At that--at the complete unexpectedness and the inconceivable audacity of it--Lily could not restrain the tribute of an astonished laugh. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- I am surprised that woman has the audacity to enter this house, Lady Jane said, trembling in every limb and turning quite pale. William Makepeace Thackeray. Vanity Fair.
Checked by Debbie