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

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 The theft comes just weeks after a beer heist in the United States captured the public's attention because of the brewer's cheeky social media posts about the loss of roughly 34,000 cans of Pabst Blue Ribbon. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026 On August 26, the 34-year-old singer shared an Instagram selfie on a jet ski wearing a cheeky floral bikini. — Juliana Ukiomogbe, InStyle, 28 Aug. 2026 In fact, plundering England’s lower leagues is a rich source of unique goals, from Ballard’s spectacular effort to this cheeky one from Crewe Alexandra striker Josh March in their 1-0 League Two win over Northampton on Saturday. — Conor O'Neill, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026 The gregarious and media-savvy Hilton has been waging an energetic and effervescent run for governor, with multiple appearances a day and frequent updates to his cheeky social media accounts. — Los Angeles Times, 20 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for cheeky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cheeky

Adjective

Investing in infrastructure to boost revenue streams is wise, particularly at a club with no shareholders to act as benefactors.

— Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 11 Sep. 2026
The Bulls overcame a sloppy night penalty-wise, being flagged 15 times for 140 yards, including two penalties that wiped out touchdowns.

— Gary Curreri, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of wise

Adjective

Two of the sassier ladies set up chairs and offered to wipe firemen’s faces with moist towelettes.

— Devin Friedman, Rolling Stone, 11 Sep. 2026
When Jane Fonda had the idea for the 1980 workplace comedy 9 to 5, her heart was set on casting Parton as sassy secretary Doralee Rhodes.

— Rachel DeSantis, PEOPLE, 1 Sep. 2026

Definition of sassy

Adjective

The American walks into a meeting room in Las Vegas’ New York-New York hotel, dressed in bold pink tracksuit bottoms, with the WBC welterweight title belt draped over his shoulder, talking as fast as his fists fly.

— Chris McKenna, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026
In the American context, after all, Oscar season is just about the last place for broad, sustained attention to challenging studio fare, bold independents, international features and documentaries.

— Matt Brennan, Los Angeles Times, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of bold

Adjective

But with the newer franchises, the deepest wounds are still fresh, so unlike Kim Zolciak and Nene, opposing parties in those cities are having a harder time celebrating the sisterhood of it all.

— Ile-Ife Okantah, Vulture, 7 Sep. 2026
Back then, Canales was a fresh-faced teenager who was seen as the future of Spanish football.

— David Ornstein, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026

Definition of fresh

Adjective

Springfield is less appalled that Reacher has just killed a man than that Reacher was brazen enough to do it in front of him.

— Chris Klimek, Vulture, 9 Sep. 2026
The documentary’s most brazen and innovative technique is to turn Musk into a CGI avatar, enthroned in the purple glow of a digital background, eerily mouthing words that, as the film says, Elon has said in real life.

— Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Sep. 2026

Definition of brazen

Adjective

Joe Jonas as Shane Gray Since his days as the cocky but lovable Shane Gray in Camp Rock, Joe Jonas has carved out a multifaceted career.

— Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Aug. 2026
He’s known for his cocky attitude, teaming up with fellow hero Blue Beetle and traveling with his robot companion Skeets.

— Jordan Moreau, Variety, 31 July 2026

Definition of cocky

Browse Nearby Words

cheeks

cheeky

cheep

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Cheeky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cheeky. Accessed 16 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of cheeky

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

facsimile

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Popular in Wordplay

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Words from the 'Odyssey'

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Popular

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Back to School Vocabulary

Games & Quizzes