gall 1 of 2

noun

ˈgȯl How to pronounce gall (audio)
Definition of gallnext
1
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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2
as in nerve
shameless boldness I can't believe he had the gall to ask me how much I weigh

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

gall

2 of 2

verb

1
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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2
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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
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

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
Coordinators have rarely had the gall to try to run it in those spots, but the Lions did and scored. —Alec Lewis, The Athletic, 1 Jan. 2025 Jason, who Reed has the gall to say might not be worth avenging, does Helen one more good turn from beyond the grave. —Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Verb
The indignity of it is galling. —Erik Kain, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024 This fiction will be galling to some people, but deeply reassuring to others. —Joshua Rothman, The New Yorker, 15 Oct. 2024 See All Example Sentences for gall
Recent Examples of Synonyms for gall
  1. hostility
  2. nerve
  3. wear
  4. bother
  5. irritate
  6. grudge
  7. arrogance
  8. erode
Noun
  • Over the nearly 20 months since the hostilities began, Colin Clarke said there has been a radicalization effect in the U.S., particularly of the political left.
    — Odette Yousef, NPR, 28 May 2025
  • Opposition to the war became hostility toward our own military.
    — Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
Definition of hostility
Noun
  • But this time around, Alix didn’t even have time to let the nerves kick in.
    — Jordana Comiter, People.com, 28 May 2025
  • Botox works by blocking nerve signals to the muscles.
    — Sarah Jividen, Verywell Health, 27 May 2025
Definition of nerve
Verb
  • For their big milestone, the twins wore dark blue caps and gowns with matching white asymmetrical cocktail dresses underneath, posing for photos with their classmates, friends and family members while holding flowers and their diplomas.
    — Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 24 May 2025
  • Tina not wearing a red-orange-yellow combo represents some kind of sea change.
    — Chris Feil, Vulture, 23 May 2025
Definition of wear
Verb
  • After years of ‘losing culture,’ can the new-look Chicago Bears turn things around on defense? Chicago Bears safety Kevin Byard didn’t bother mincing words.
    — Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 27 May 2025
  • The walk, only his second this month, bothered him.
    — Matt Gelb, New York Times, 26 May 2025
Definition of bother
Verb
  • There are pull-ups made with Velcro that can irritate your child’s skin, especially when misaligned.
    — BestReviews, Mercury News, 23 May 2025
  • Sturdy posts at the front of the shoes connect to a flip-flop style design that won’t irritate or chafe your skin, while the supportive insoles are far better-suited for days spent on your feet than flimsy, cheaper sandals.
    — Merrell Readman, Travel + Leisure, 23 May 2025
Definition of irritate
Noun
  • The fear this instills in I-Jing — already ignored by her busy mother, nor attended to by her mercurial older sister, I-Ann, who holds a grudge against her mother and rebels by working at a shady betel nut stand — sets off a secrets-unearthing chain of events.
    — Ritesh Mehta, IndieWire, 14 May 2025
  • Was Disney actually complicit in Ryan using shareholder revenues to further a personal grudge?
    — Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 9 May 2025
Definition of grudge
Noun
  • Opinion: America was gaslit by the arrogance of Joe Biden and his enablers.
    — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 25 May 2025
  • The arrogance of the IRS should shock the conscience of all Americans.
    — Chuck Flint, Boston Herald, 21 May 2025
Definition of arrogance
Verb
  • Apple might be able to strike a deal with the administration — despite the eroding relationship — or challenge the tariffs in court.
    — Kif Leswing, CNBC, 23 May 2025
  • These changes threaten to erode biodiversity and make survival even harder for freshwater and land turtle populations.
    — Dianne Plummer, Forbes.com, 23 May 2025
Definition of erode

Browse Nearby Words

galilees
gall
gallant
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Cite this Entry

“Gall.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/gall. Accessed 4 Jun. 2025.

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