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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There’s also a fine array of actors here: Idris makes a fine cocky young upstart.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
17 June 2025
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The Pacers, who are young and fast and talented and cocky and on some heater themselves, think this is their time.—
Mike Lupica,
New York Daily News,
20 May 2025
Adjective
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Brother Rice coach Sean McBride felt confident giving Sheehan the ball.—
Steve Millar,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2025
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Companies that use a lot of fuel as part of their business and need their customers feeling confident enough to travel fell to some of the sharpest losses.—
Stan Choe,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Over the last two seasons, Alexander has missed 20 games due to injury, and adding him into a cornerback room that is already reeling from health issues would not be the wisest decision.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
9 June 2025
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Considering Micah Parsons, Trey Hendrickson and T.J. Watt are all in line for new deals soon, getting something done with Hutchinson sooner rather than later would be wise.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
30 May 2025
Adjective
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If Nintendo notices the same cryptographic signature on security certificates being used by hundreds of different consoles and accounts, for instance, the company can be relatively sure that all those users are engaging in piracy.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
17 June 2025
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Assuming the keynote is on Sept. 10, or one day that week, the release date, as sure as eggs is eggs, will be the Friday of the following week: Friday, Sept. 19.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
17 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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In short, Moscow sees Montenegro as both strategically valuable and an impudent upstart that has thumbed its nose at the Russian bear while genuflecting before NATO and Washington.—
Edward P. Joseph,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Dec. 2016
Adjective
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One’s insolent, calling him lame and old, and the other affectedly infantile, but both are exhausting in their own way.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
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The government, in an insolent filing on Sunday evening, rewrote that instruction.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Murder by Death District Music Hall, 71 Wall St., Norwalk The Indiana indie rock band Murder by Death, which features a cello in its lineup and a lot of brazen musical ideas, is calling it quits after a quarter century.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
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Such perspectives make Wax’s Izzy a multi-layered and often contradictory character: self-assured, yet also self-doubting; brazen, yet guilty; fearless, yet also fearful.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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Questions about a bold agenda In public appearances, Kennedy has outlined what experts describe as an ambitious agenda to overhaul how the U.S. evaluates chemicals, particularly in the realm of food and some consumer products.—
Will Stone,
NPR,
18 June 2025
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In the store, the seasonal collection is presented against vintage floral wallpaper, while the more modern bold blue wall opposite frames Les Essentiels, including a range of denim.—
Rhonda Richford,
Footwear News,
18 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 27 Jun. 2025.
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