effrontery
/e'frʌntəri/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Insolent or shameless boldness; audacious behavior that disregards social norms or the feelings of others. It describes an act or attitude that is disrespectfully bold, often showing a lack of shame or proper restraint. It implies an offensive presumption or overstepping of boundaries.
Usage
- General Use: Used to describe behavior that is shockingly rude, disrespectful, or presumptuous. It often carries a strong negative connotation of moral disapproval.
- Context: Commonly used in formal or literary contexts to express indignation at someone's audacity.
Examples
- Noun:
- He had the effrontery to ask for a promotion after missing his deadlines.
- I was shocked by the effrontery of his unfounded accusations.
Advanced Usage
- "To have the effrontery to do something": This is a common collocation used to highlight a specific audacious act.
- She had the effrontery to criticize my work while her own was full of errors.
Variants and Related Words
- Effronteries (n, plural): Multiple instances of shameless boldness.
- His career was marked by a series of effronteries that eventually led to his downfall.
Synonyms
- Audacity: Boldness or daring, especially with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions.
- Presumptuousness: Failure to observe the limits of what is permitted or appropriate.
- Gall: Impudent audacity; nerve.
- Temerity: Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.
Antonyms
- Diffidence: Modesty or shyness resulting from a lack of self-confidence.
- Timidity: Lack of courage or confidence.
- Humility: A modest or low view of one's own importance.
Idioms and Phrases
- "The sheer effrontery of it!": An exclamation used to express utter astonishment at someone's shameless behavior.
- He borrowed my car without asking and then returned it with no gas. The sheer effrontery of it!
Noun
- audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
- he despised them for their presumptuousness