temerity

[tuh-mer-i-tee]

noun

1. reckless boldness; rashness.

   Synonyms: foolhardy, effrontery, audacity

temerity

/ ˌtɛməˈrɛərɪəs, tɪˈmɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. rashness or boldness

Other Word Forms

• temerarious adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of temerity¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English temeryte, from Latin temeritās “hap, chance, rashness,” equivalent to temer(e) “by chance, rashly” + -itās -ity

Word History and Origins

Origin of temerity¹

C15: from Latin temeritās accident, from temere at random

Example Sentences

The administration is using it as a tool of vengeance because Harvard has had the temerity to resist the administration’s various edicts.

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In the beginning, many scoffed at the temerity of a peanut farmer and one-term governor running for the highest office in the land.

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A baker’s dozen Republicans had the temerity to get in the race, but they didn’t really run against him.

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The Times was especially agitated that the boys’ fathers had had the temerity to go to federal court over this.

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If you are going to have the temerity to put women in cages for our entertainment, you’d better figure out a way to let them out.

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