GALL Synonyms: 253 Similar and Opposite Words

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

Some common synonyms of gall are audacity , cheek , chutzpah , effrontery , 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: In what contexts can 'audacity' take the place of 'gall'?

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

Q: When could 'effrontery' be used to replace 'gall'?

The meanings of effrontery and gall largely overlap; however, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy. // outraged at his effrontery

Q: When is 'hardihood' a more appropriate choice than 'gall'?

The synonyms hardihood and gall are sometimes interchangeable, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance. // admired for her hardihood

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

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

gall 1 of 2

noun

ˈgȯl

Definition of gall next

as in hostility

a deep-seated ill will her kindly feelings turned to gall when she found out her nephew only wanted her money

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nerve

shameless boldness I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gall

2 of 2

verb

as in to wear

to damage or diminish by continued friction move that rope so the sharp edge of the hull doesn't gall it

Synonyms & Similar Words

as in to bother

to disturb the peace of mind of (someone) especially by repeated disagreeable acts humming through your nose like that absolutely galls me

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in to irritate

to make sore by continued rubbing tie your shoes so they don't gall your heels sliding on and off like that

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

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

Some common synonyms of gall are audacity, cheek, chutzpah, effrontery, 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

In what contexts can audacity take the place of gall?

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

an entrepreneur with audacity and vision

When could effrontery be used to replace gall?

The meanings of effrontery and gall largely overlap; however, effrontery implies shameless, insolent disregard of propriety or courtesy.

outraged at his effrontery

When is hardihood a more appropriate choice than gall?

The synonyms hardihood and gall are sometimes interchangeable, but hardihood suggests firmness in daring and defiance.

admired for her hardihood

When might temerity be a better fit than gall?

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

had the temerity to refuse

Examples 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 gall

Noun

Any larvae in the gall are paralyzed with the mite's venom, which is strong enough to paralyze prey 166,000 times the mite's size, PennState Extension says. —

Li Cohen, CBS News, 15 Aug. 2024 And why did the IOC appear to choose pettiness before naming Salt Lake City host of the 2034 Olympics, holding Utah officials over the coals because American anti-doping authorities had the gall to question the authority of a global testing authority that cleared China of cheating? —

Sean Gregory / Paris, TIME, 11 Aug. 2024

Verb

Nikki is the classic out-of-towner who comes to a new precinct, mildly galled by how much influence the rich exert over the Nantucket police. —

Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024 But what happened after a bullet nicked Trump’s ear was also galling, according to former Secret Service agents and experts in protecting prominent figures. —

Ken Dilanian, NBC News, 18 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for gall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gall

Noun

The Jordanian government announced the closure of the crossing amid the hostility.

Brady Knox, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 6 Dec. 2024
TikTok has long denied having any links to the Chinese government, and the federal government has not made public any of the specific intelligence it’s used to justify its hostility against the company.

Alison Durkee, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024