CHEEKY Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

cheeky

adjective

ˈchē-kē

Definition of cheeky

as in wise

displaying or marked by rude boldness a cheeky comment about something that was none of her business

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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 cheeky From New York’s insistence that low ponies and naked nails are, indeed, chic, to Milan’s cheeky winks of morning-after makeup and good-bad-hair days, designers and artists made room to play. — Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 8 Oct. 2026 The coordinated moment was a cheeky homage to Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s unforgettable denim-on-denim date-night look from the 2001 American Music Awards. — Amanda Le, InStyle, 27 Sep. 2026 In a November 2020 episode of Unlocking Us hosted by Brené Brown, the author spoke with the late Dolly Parton, who had a cheeky bit of gossip to share about her old friend Burt Reynolds. — Brianna Zigler, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2026 His Lamb goes from a brash Yorkshire showman to a callous profiteer of human vice and misery, his cheeky smile becoming a vicious snarl. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 21 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheeky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheeky

Adjective

That ranks ninth in the Eastern Conference, expectations wise — and a little shy of the 46 wins Atlanta mustered last time around.

— Tyler Estep, AJC.com, 21 Oct. 2026
Helen is adept at shifting blame, and a wise woman realizes when she is outgunned.

— Danielle Parker, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026

Definition of wise

Adjective

Ego Nwodim had a sassy reaction to Shane Gillis following his controversial monologue on Saturday Night Live.

— Carly Thomas, HollywoodReporter, 12 Oct. 2026
That it is wedged into a modern, and very sassy-looking bike with great brakes and suspension should be celebrated.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 10 Oct. 2026

Definition of sassy

Adjective

Cover pan, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until lentils are tender and most of the liquid is absorbed but mixture is still saucy, 30–35 minutes.

— Rebecca Firkser, Bon Appetit Magazine, 16 Oct. 2026
Their research included the study of the erotic novels penned by Spanish writer and fashion designer Álvaro Retana, who also wrote lyrics for saucy songs of the type that Cruz performs in La Bola Negra.

— Baz Bamigboye, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2026

Definition of saucy

Adjective

Finished in the label’s tiger yellow with bold black striping, the bike gave the collaboration a tangible centerpiece beyond the clothes.

— Footwear News, Footwear News, 22 Oct. 2026
Pumpkin flowers, ghosts in cat-eye sunglasses, and bold checker-print accent nails all scream fun.

— Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of bold

Adjective

The movie is an epic series of harrumphs and harangues, propelled from room to room—and, in time, out into the world beyond the estate—by a spirit of impudent absurdism and corrosive cynicism which seems to emanate from Digger himself.

— Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
Mantello wasn’t being impudent.

— Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026

Definition of impudent

Adjective

Memories are fresh of the nationwide protests sparked by economic pressures that led to a deadly crackdown weeks before the war.

— Amir-Hussein Radjy, Los Angeles Times, 25 Oct. 2026
Most of the candy is in spotless Plexiglas bins, hundreds of them, and throughout the shop are fresh confections such as ice cream, sodas, a chocolate fountain.

— Jeffrey Steingarten, Vogue, 25 Oct. 2026

Definition of fresh

Adjective

Lovato’s dress, courtesy of Fanci Club, was a deep shade of eggplant purple and topped off with a scarlet-red lace bralette, making for a brazen club-friendly outfit only enhanced by the even more noticeable shoes.

— Erin Wisti, Footwear News, 12 Oct. 2026
The photos and trailer released Thursday show Boyle as a brazen, ambitious college student who teams up with Garner’s brainy Ellison to launch their own cryptocurrency business.

— Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 8 Oct. 2026

Definition of brazen

Adjective

Innanen‘s characters in the five-episode series include a manager lacking confidence, a cocky cruise specialist, an adventure expert who deeply fears adventure and a Francophile who hasn‘t left American soil since the late ’90s.

— Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026
On the field, there’s drama between head coach Danny Roarke (Christopher Meloni) and the cocky quarterback.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 13 Oct. 2026

Definition of cocky

Browse Nearby Words

cheeks

cheeky

cheep

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“Cheeky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheeky. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of cheeky

adjective

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