Definition

1. 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

1. audacious (even arrogant) behavior that you have no right to
   • he despised them for their presumptuousness