Temerity
Reply-all courage, startup founders asking for money, and cats jumping onto narrow ledges all share reckless nerve.
Learn This WordMeaning
Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity, often in a reckless or disrespectful sense.
Memory trick
TEMERITY sounds like "temporary sanity", acting boldly without enough restraint.
Examples
He had the temerity to challenge the board without reading the brief.
She admired his temerity but questioned his judgment.
The startup’s temerity helped it break into a crowded market.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology
From Latin temeritas "rashness," from temere "blindly, rashly."
Usage Notes
Usually carries a critical tone, unlike neutral or positive “boldness.”
Real-life contexts
Use for critique: "That proposal has temerity, but not enough evidence."
Use in storytelling: "His temerity sparked both backlash and progress."
Use sparingly: "Temerity" sounds formal and judgment-heavy.
Common Mistakes
Temerity is not the same as courage; it often implies reckless overconfidence.
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Start LearningQuick Facts
Part of Speech
noun
Difficulty
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