1
as in cocky
displaying or marked by rude boldness
his cocksure assertion that only he could solve the problem
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2
as in confident
having or showing a mind free from doubt
you're always so cocksure about everything
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cocksure
Amid the cocksure bravado of the adventure-sports world, fluidity is read as weakness.
—
Alison Van Houten, Outside Online, 22 Aug. 2020
So cocksure are they, even their hair seems to swagger.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2022
Craig Kilborn, the fratty cocksure original host of The Daily Show, had gotten his big call-up from CBS to host the late-night slot following David Letterman’s, which was one of two jobs Stewart didn’t get.
—Devin Gordon, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2022
After the evacuation, the four Brits were skewered as irresponsible and cocksure by Icelanders and media outlets around the world.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2016
See All Example Sentences for cocksure
Alison Van Houten, Outside Online, 22 Aug. 2020
So cocksure are they, even their hair seems to swagger.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2022
Craig Kilborn, the fratty cocksure original host of The Daily Show, had gotten his big call-up from CBS to host the late-night slot following David Letterman’s, which was one of two jobs Stewart didn’t get.
—Devin Gordon, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2022
After the evacuation, the four Brits were skewered as irresponsible and cocksure by Icelanders and media outlets around the world.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2016
See All Example Sentences for cocksure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocksure
Adjective
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Marty Supreme stars Timothée Chalamet as a cocky playboy ping-pong player, and that’s not even the most interesting part.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
13 Aug. 2025
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Hero Ellen Ripley’s (Sigourney Weaver) lonely fight for survival gave way to a military mission to vanquish aliens ravaging a human colony; Cameron filled the frame with cocky Marines, boxy space tanks, and an adorable orphan who finds in Ripley a surrogate mother.—
Judy Berman,
Time,
5 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The output looks confident: charts, scenarios, and a familiar set of options.—
Vibhas Ratanjee,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
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Despite the unfinished look, the Hornets and city leaders are looking forward to the results and remain confident the work will get finished on time.—
Chase Jordan
August 25,
Charlotte Observer,
25 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Stashing a talented prospect like him is a wise decision for a front office that should be taking a long view with its rebuild, not to mention Douglas’ history of concussions (two in 2023) and contract coming up next season.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
22 Aug. 2025
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But the Tigers also made wise offseason moves, not the least of which was signing former New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres to a one-year, $15 million contract.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Calls of three and four clubs agree diamonds, for sure.—
Deb Harvell,
Arkansas Online,
17 Aug. 2025
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Regardless of where the browser goes, Opera’s pretty sure about the future of the internet itself.—
John Koetsier,
Forbes.com,
16 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Gemma reluctantly agrees to rebuild her impudent robot in a new body, and the sequel ends with an explosive showdown between Amelia and M3GAN, who nearly dies in a noble attempt to save Gemma and her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
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One chord appears to speak to the other, sounding almost impudent in their simplicity, equal parts ecstatic and heartbreakingly melancholic.—
Sam Davies,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Beautiful, not perfect; Alex can be rude, insolent, and subject to wild emotional swings and failures of decorum and logic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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The movie’s startling originality is in its spirit, its insolent ironies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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The parent company of Denver’s Hyde Park Jewelers still declines to discuss what happened and the Denver Police Department still refuses to release its reports, photos and videos from the brazen burglary, because its investigation is still open.—
Justin Wingerter,
Denver Post,
19 Aug. 2025
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But the mob was discreet compared to Trump’s brazen, boastful ways.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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The bold infrastructure plan commanded multiple articles on the front page.—
Jennifer Brett,
Nashville Tennessean,
17 Aug. 2025
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This collection hits hard with satin bombers, pullover windbreakers, bold navy and orange team colors, and all the vintage Starter flair that defined a generation of sideline style.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
17 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 29 Aug. 2025.
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