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Audacity vs. Temerity — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 5, 2023
Audacity and temerity both indicate boldness, but audacity can imply daring, possibly with a positive connotation, while temerity often suggests recklessness or offensive boldness.

Difference Between Audacity and Temerity

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Key Differences

Audacity can, in some contexts, mirror an innovative or groundbreaking spirit, perhaps in entrepreneurial or creative realms. Temerity, however, scarcely enjoys a positive light, as it typically hints at a boldness that’s disrespectful or prematurely overconfident.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Audacity might be associated with moments where bold actions lead to positive outcomes or breakthroughs. Temerity is likely linked to situations where the boldness is unwarranted, and perhaps results in unfavorable consequences due to its impulsive nature.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
While audacity might be celebrated in stories of success against the odds, temerity might find its narrative embedded in tales of warning against unchecked boldness and impulsive, disrespectful actions that lead to downfall or disfavor.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
Audacity generally embodies a spirit of boldness and daring, sometimes even admired or viewed with a certain level of positive astonishment. Temerity, while also suggesting boldness, leans more towards a brash, reckless, or heedless type of courage, often perceived negatively or with disapproval.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
One might admire audacity when it’s exhibited as a brave or unexpected act, possibly marked by ingenuity or cleverness. In contrast, temerity might be viewed critically, as it usually implies a disregard for decorum, respect, or consideration, potentially offending or violating norms.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023
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Comparison Chart

Connotation

Can be positive or neutral.
Generally negative.
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Oct 04, 2023

Contextual Usage

Often admired or surprising.
Frequently linked with disapproval.
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Association

Sometimes with innovation.
Associated with disrespect/recklessness.
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Oct 04, 2023

Implication of Outcome

May lead to breakthroughs.
Often leads to unfavorable consequences.
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Oct 04, 2023

Perception

Potentially bold and daring.
Brash and heedlessly bold.
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Oct 04, 2023
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Definitions

Audacity

Effrontery or insolence; shameless boldness.
His audacity in making such a claim stunned the audience.
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Oct 04, 2023

Temerity

Reckless boldness; rashness.
His temerity in handling the dangerous chemicals alarmed his colleagues.
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Oct 04, 2023

Audacity

Boldness or daring, especially with confident or arrogant disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions.
Her audacity to confront the leader was unexpected.
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Oct 04, 2023

Temerity

Excessive confidence or boldness; audacity.
The skateboarder had the temerity to attempt a risky move.
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Oct 04, 2023

Audacity

Fearless daring and boldness.
The scientist had the audacity to pursue an unconventional theory.
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Oct 04, 2023

Temerity

Foolhardy disregard of danger; bravado.
His temerity cost him dearly in the high-stakes poker game.
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Oct 04, 2023

Audacity

A willingness to take bold risks
He whistled at the sheer audacity of the plan
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

Audacity, with negative connotations.
She had the temerity to lie to the judge.
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Oct 04, 2023

Audacity

Rude or disrespectful behaviour; impudence
She had the audacity to suggest I'd been carrying on with him
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

Disregard of danger; recklessness.
Her temerity led her into dangerous territories during the investigation.
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Oct 04, 2023

Audacity

Fearless daring; intrepidity.
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

Temerity is a section of steep, gladed skiing terrain at Aspen Highlands, one of the four mountains owned and operated by the Aspen Skiing Company in Aspen, Colorado. "Boldness, to the point of being foolish," Temerity is designated as double-diamond experts-only terrain.
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

Bold or insolent heedlessness of restraints, as of those imposed by prudence, propriety, or convention.
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

Excessive boldness or rashness; foolhardiness or recklessness.
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

An act or instance of intrepidity or insolent heedlessness
Warned the students that any audacities committed during the graduation ceremony would be punished.
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

(uncountable) Reckless boldness; foolish bravery.
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

Insolent boldness, especially when imprudent or unconventional.
The brash private had the audacity to criticize the general.
Somebody never pays his loans, yet he has the audacity to ask the bank for money.
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

(countable) An act or case of reckless boldness.
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

Fearlessness, intrepidity or daring, especially with confident disregard for personal safety, conventional thought, or other restrictions.
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

(uncountable) Effrontery; impudence.
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

Daring spirit, resolution, or confidence; venturesomeness.
The freedom and audacity necessary in the commerce of men.
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

Unreasonable contempt of danger; extreme venturesomeness; rashness; as, the temerity of a commander in war.
It is notorious temerity to pass sentence upon grounds uncapable of evidence.
Her rush hand in evil hourForth reaching to the fruit, she plucked, she eat.
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

Reckless daring; presumptuous impudence; - implying a contempt of law or moral restraints.
With the most arrogant audacity.
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Feb 19, 2019

Temerity

Fearless daring
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

Fearless daring
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

Aggressive boldness or unmitigated effrontery;
He had the audacity to question my decision
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Feb 19, 2019

Audacity

Venture or riskiness.
The audacity of the stunt amazed the crowd.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023

Audacity

Bold or arrogant overstepping of bounds.
The intern had the audacity to challenge the CEO’s decision.
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Oct 04, 2023

FAQs

Can "audacity" have a positive connotation?

Yes, it can be admired as daring or brave in some contexts.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023

Does "temerity" always imply negativity?

Often, as it usually suggests a recklessness or heedlessness.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023

Is "temerity" commonly used in everyday conversation?

"Temerity" tends to be less common and more formal than "audacity."
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Oct 04, 2023

Is "temerity" associated with youth?

Not necessarily, though sometimes used to describe youthful recklessness.
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Oct 04, 2023

Are "audacity" and "temerity" interchangeable?

While both indicate boldness, "temerity" often conveys reckless boldness, while "audacity" might be seen as daring or shocking boldness.
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023

Is "audacity" used in technology contexts?

Yes, notably "Audacity" is known as audio editing software.
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Oct 04, 2023

Can "audacity" suggest courage?

Yes, it may be perceived as a kind of bold courage in some instances.
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Oct 04, 2023

Can "audacity" imply impudence?

Yes, it may suggest insolent boldness.
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Oct 04, 2023

Are "audacity" and "temerity" nouns?

Yes, both words are nouns describing qualities of boldness.
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Oct 04, 2023

Can "temerity" imply a lack of forethought?

Yes, it can imply acting boldly without considering consequences.
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Oct 04, 2023

Does "audacity" have historic connotations?

Not especially, though it's used in various historic and modern contexts.
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Oct 04, 2023

Can "temerity" denote bravery?

It could, but usually conveys a negative sense of unwarranted boldness.
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Oct 04, 2023

Is "temerity" ever a virtue?

It’s typically not admired, given its association with recklessness.
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Oct 04, 2023

Can "audacity" be neutral?

It can be, though it often carries either admiration or disapproval.
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Oct 04, 2023

Is "audacity" modern slang?

No, but it’s somewhat colloquial and modern compared to "temerity."
Tayyaba Rehman
Oct 04, 2023

Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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