effrontery
3
9.2
- noun
- /ɪˈfrʌntəri/
- Formal
- He had the effrontery to demand a raise after only one week on the job.
- such effrontery
- even greater effrontery
Examples
-
Oh, you'll pay for this effrontery, Barbara.
Fiction book (1999) -
He had the effrontery to ask if I'd have dinner with him tonight.
-
Not once in my 1 7 years... has anyone had the effrontery to test me at anything.
-
No British gentleman, having done so, would have the effrontery to set foot in this club.
-
And now you may punish me for my effrontery.
-
But not content with that, you've got the effrontery to come here and lie.
-
Nuclear weaponry threatens the very existence of the planet and they have the effrontery to call it defence.
-
You've just been elevated to tribune and you have the effrontery to ask for more?
-
To presume that I would deign to touch you however, is the height of effrontery.
-
You have the manners of a spoiled brat and the effrontery of an unbridled egotist!
Synonyms
26
8.1
Rude boldness that shows no shame
19
7.2
Rude behavior or speech toward someone in authority
6
8.1
Rude behavior or remarks that show a lack of respect
6
7.2
Bold behavior that shows no respect for others
3
6.8
A way of acting that is too bold, loud, and rude
2
7.3
Shameless boldness that ignores what people consider proper
1
8.7
Being too confident in a rude way
1
6.7
Very bold, shameless actions that ignore normal rules
Antonyms
How Bold
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word effrontery comes from a word for front meaning 'forehead', imagining someone who shows their face without shame. So effrontery is bold, shameless behavior that shocks or offends others.