temerity

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

Words nearby temerity

temazepam, Témbi, temblor, Temenus, temerarious, temerity, Temesvár, Temin, Temirtau, Temne, temp

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use temerity in a sentence

So much of the pushback describes the memo as if it targets virtually any parent with the temerity to question their school board officials.
Our dumbed-down debate over the Justice Department and schools|Aaron Blake|October 27, 2021|Washington Post
Should the caller have the temerity to ask where they were, the phone call would be quietly ended.
The Bookstore That Bewitched Mick Jagger, John Lennon, and Greta Garbo|Felice Picano|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Some time ago, I wrote a blog post in which I had the temerity to question the validity of chronic Lyme diagnoses.
Predator Doctors Take Advantage of Patients With ‘Chronic Lyme’ Scam|Russell Saunders|September 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Stalin-worship aside, he had the temerity to tell truths about Hitler and his war machine that many others preferred to ignore.
Brecht's Mercenary Mother Courage Turns 75|Katie Baker|September 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Just two weeks ago, The New York Times Magazine had the temerity to ask, “Has the Libertarian Moment Finally Arrived?”
The Libertarian Moment in Ferguson|Nick Gillespie|August 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Nor is it where the gunman then viciously pistol whips his victim repeatedly for having the temerity not to die.
Bronx Gunman Shot His Friend, Didn’t Spill His Drink|Michael Daly|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Who would have the temerity, in such an hour, to oppose the affectionate demonstration?
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
The temerity of Westmacott, whose nature was notoriously timid, had surprised him for a moment.
Mistress Wilding|Rafael Sabatini
And his friends gasped at his temerity and trembled for him, not knowing what grounds he had for counting himself unassailable.
Mistress Wilding|Rafael Sabatini
And he would cower in the background blushing his absurd little blushes at his second-hand temerity.
Blazed Trail Stories|Stewart Edward White
Beginning an uncouth lad, he became a sea fighter whose temerity outranks all.
Historic Fredericksburg|John T. Goolrick

British Dictionary definitions for temerity

temerity

/ (tɪˈmɛrɪtɪ) /

noun

rashness or boldness

Derived forms of temerity

temerarious (ˌtɛməˈrɛərɪəs), adjective

Word Origin for temerity

C15: from Latin temeritās accident, from temere at random

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

temerity

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Origin of temerity

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How to use temerity in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for temerity

Derived forms of temerity

Word Origin for temerity