CHEEK Synonyms: 135 Similar and Opposite Words

Q: How is the word 'cheek' different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of cheek are audacity , chutzpah , effrontery , gall , hardihood , nerve , and temerity . While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," nerve , cheek , gall , and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery . // the nerve of that guy // has the cheek to call herself a singer // had the gall to demand proof // the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

Q: When is 'audacity' a more appropriate choice than 'cheek'?

In some situations, the words audacity and cheek are roughly equivalent. However, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence. // an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

Q: When would 'effrontery' be a good substitute for 'cheek'?

The synonyms effrontery and cheek are sometimes interchangeable, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy. // outraged at his effrontery

Q: When can 'hardihood' be used instead of 'cheek'?

While the synonyms hardihood and cheek are close in meaning, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance. // admired for her hardihood

Q: When might 'temerity' be a better fit than 'cheek'?

The words temerity and cheek can be used in similar contexts, but temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger. // had the temerity to refuse

cheek

noun

ˈchēk

Definition of cheek next

as in mouth

disrespectful or argumentative talk given in response to a command or request any more cheek in this classroom and you'll get a detention

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nerve

shameless boldness she had the cheek to blame me for the fact that she had forgotten about the staff meeting

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in tail

cheeks plural the part of the body upon which someone sits he dropped his pants and flashed his cheeks at the opposing team

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How is the word cheek different from other nouns like it?

Some common synonyms of cheek are audacity, chutzpah, effrontery, gall, hardihood, nerve, and temerity. While all these words mean "conspicuous or flagrant boldness," nerve, cheek, gall, and chutzpah are informal equivalents for effrontery.

the nerve of that guy

has the cheek to call herself a singer

had the gall to demand proof

the chutzpah needed for a career in show business

When is audacity a more appropriate choice than cheek?

In some situations, the words audacity and cheek are roughly equivalent. However, audacity implies a disregard of restraints commonly imposed by convention or prudence.

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When would effrontery be a good substitute for cheek?

The synonyms effrontery and cheek are sometimes interchangeable, but effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When can hardihood be used instead of cheek?

While the synonyms hardihood and cheek are close in meaning, hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When might temerity be a better fit than cheek?

The words temerity and cheek can be used in similar contexts, but temerity suggests boldness arising from rashness and contempt of danger.

had the temerity to refuse

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of cheek His dribbling and passing have the flair and cheek of a youngster enjoying his time on the pitch alongside the close control in tight spaces that comes with experience. —

The Athletic Uk Staff, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025 Another unifying factor is the light, which comes in from the left, falls upon the back of the figure seated at the edge, erases the contours of her dress, lies around her head like a halo, lights up the cheek of the next figure, and also shines, somewhat more muted, upon the faces of the last two. —

Karl Ove Knausgaard, The New Yorker, 27 Jan. 2025 Watch on Deadline With literally dozens of Lab grads over the decades in the sprawling Grand Hyatt ballroom, Satter took the stage to a standing ovation and tears rolling down the cheeks of more than a few attendees. —

Dominic Patten, Deadline, 24 Jan. 2025 Police are searching for a woman who randomly slashed a stranger on the cheek while the two were in a church in Queens, cops said Thursday. —

Roni Jacobson, New York Daily News, 24 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for cheek

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheek

Noun

His tiny pink tongue hung out of his mouth much of the time.

— Maya Salam, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2025
The new species was identified by its DNA, mouth, toe shape, finger shape, skin texture and other subtle physical features, the study said.

— Aspen Pflughoeft, Miami Herald, 7 Feb. 2025