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

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

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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

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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 In the first image, Alba sported a brown bikini consisting of a strapless bandeau top and matching bottoms as Ramirez leaned in to kiss his girlfriend on the cheek. — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 12 Aug. 2026 And just that, seeing tearstains on my father’s cheeks, was like seeing water run uphill. — Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026 His nearly fatal ordeal began when a seemingly harmless lump on his cheek continued to grow. — Bryan Alexander, USA Today, 8 Aug. 2026 Their skin is flawless, their cheeks rosy, their bodies unmarked by the forces of gravity or physical strain. — Carmen Rosenberg-Miller, Artforum, 6 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheek

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheek

Noun

The country's coastal regions near the mouth of the Amazon are known as the Equatorial Margin.

— ABC News, ABC News, 17 Aug. 2026
You’re not left with long strands hanging down from your mouth.

— Judith Martin, Mercury News, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of mouth

Noun

The brain coordinates muscles and nerves while also processing information about balance, vision and the environment around us.

— Katia Hetter, CNN Money, 14 Aug. 2026
The Briton, an Olympic silver medallist and sixth fastest of all-time at this distance, held his nerve and form in the outside lane.

— Liam Tharme, New York Times, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of nerve

Noun

Among the adventures, are hide-and-seek with Pooh, help Eeyore search for his missing tail, and encourage Piglet to find courage.

— Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 14 Aug. 2026
Its bright red star Antares marks the heart of the scorpion, with a curving tail extending downward toward the horizon.

— Jamie Carter, Space.com, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of tail

Noun

The public weighted plain disrespect – how people are treated, apart from the economics – significantly more heavily than the philosophers did.

— ESMT Berlin, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026
In the millions upon millions of words written and said about this World Cup, who has shown disrespect to players from Haiti, or any other smaller nation?

— Nick Miller, New York Times, 27 July 2026

Definition of disrespect

Noun

However, when the collaboration turned on the experiment, researchers found that the beam did not meet specifications.

— Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 15 Aug. 2026
The rear wheels are now connected by a rigid beam, and the differential is mounted directly to the frame rather than the axle as on previous trikes.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 14 Aug. 2026

Definition of beam

Noun

The 18-year old who was thrown to the ground and punched in the face by an Arkansas State Police trooper during a traffic stop near Manila earlier this month has filed a lawsuit against the trooper.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 13 Aug. 2026
However, a whole-brain analysis did show distinct patterns of activity when the dogs saw faces showing the negative emotions.

— Lianne Kolirin, CNN Money, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of face

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checkups

cheek

cheekiness

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“Cheek.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheek. Accessed 19 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cheek

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