Assurance.
Synonyms:
| arrogance, | boldness, | impudence, | self-confidence, |
| assertion, | confidence, | presumption, | self-reliance, |
| assumption, | effrontery, | self-assertion, | trust. |
Assurance may have the good sense of a high, sustained confidence and trust; as, the saint's assurance of heaven. Confidence is founded upon reasons; assurance is largely a matter of feeling. In the bad sense, assurance is a vicious courage, with belief of one's ability to outwit or defy others; the hardened criminal is remarkable for habitual assurance. For the calm conviction of one's own rectitude and ability, self-confidence is a better word than assurance; self-reliance expresses confidence in one's own resources, independently of others' aid. In the bad sense assurance is less gross than impudence, which is (according to its etymology) a shameless boldness. Assurance is in act or manner; impudence may be in speech. Effrontery is impudence defiantly displayed. Compare FAITH; PRIDE.
Antonyms:
| bashfulness, | consternation, | distrust, | hesitancy, | shyness, |
| confusion, | dismay, | doubt, | misgiving, | timidity. |