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

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in nerve

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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

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

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 gall

Noun

Imagine having the gall to besmirch the name of a young mother killed for trying to speak up for her neighbors or of an ICU nurse shot in the back for trying to tend to a woman who had been pepper-sprayed in the face. —

Sasha Abramsky, Washington Post, 2 Feb. 2026 The documents that Dooley was now handling were barely yellowed, their edges lightly frayed, the oak gall ink ranging from brown to black. —

Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026

Verb

What galls them is Toberoff’s tooth-and-nail negotiations and his insistence on becoming a producer himself, complete with credit and fees. —

Tom Dotan, Vanity Fair, 23 Feb. 2026 Bundle is also galled by Lady Coote’s refusal to mention at the inquest that the fatal sleeping draft was from a bottle she’d given to her sleepless maid, Emily. —

Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026 See All Example Sentences for gall

Recent Examples of Synonyms for gall

Noun

But the chancellor struggled to imagine how such an end of hostilities could be reached that would satisfy the White House.

— Timothy Nerozzi, The Washington Examiner, 27 Apr. 2026
The hostility to literature felt by some of the architects of the Red Scare is well established.

— Charlie Tyson, The Atlantic, 27 Apr. 2026

Definition of hostility

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galilees

gall

gallant

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“Gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gall. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

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Synonyms of gall

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