as in arrogance
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Recent Examples of cockiness
Speed is not overrated, confidence is required and cockiness is usually welcome.
—
Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
The great thing is society already embraces cockiness—just not from women.
—Samyra, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026
While the critics howled during that 1-15 season in 1989, Johnson and even his assistants maintained their cockiness and mocked the criticism.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
Somehow, though, Chalamet has skirted major repercussions for his cockiness.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
Most of the Teds depicted are young—discovering the look, and discovering themselves, in the full flush of masculine cockiness.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
What everybody loves about Ortegas is that can do mentality and also that cockiness.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
The film has that Scott-ian sleekness (but is really directed by Swedish filmmaker Daniel Espinosa in his Hollywood debut), and Washington rules with his super-chill cockiness.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2026
The great thing is society already embraces cockiness—just not from women.
—Samyra, SELF, 14 Jan. 2026
While the critics howled during that 1-15 season in 1989, Johnson and even his assistants maintained their cockiness and mocked the criticism.
—Tim Cowlishaw, Dallas Morning News, 12 Jan. 2026
Somehow, though, Chalamet has skirted major repercussions for his cockiness.
—Shirley Li, The Atlantic, 22 Dec. 2025
Most of the Teds depicted are young—discovering the look, and discovering themselves, in the full flush of masculine cockiness.
—Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Dec. 2025
What everybody loves about Ortegas is that can do mentality and also that cockiness.
—Adam B. Vary, Variety, 5 Sep. 2025
The film has that Scott-ian sleekness (but is really directed by Swedish filmmaker Daniel Espinosa in his Hollywood debut), and Washington rules with his super-chill cockiness.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 15 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cockiness
Noun
-
Raised on a strict diet of toughness and discipline by his father, Dean arrives with undeniable talent – and an arrogance that quickly earns him enemies.—
Melanie Goodfellow,
Deadline,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Things moved about at the top with a little more arrogance and zip but at the bottom was the ever-moving present.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Wroblewski’s biggest fear is overconfidence.—
John Wawrow,
Twin Cities,
15 Feb. 2026
-
Somehow, my burgeoning overconfidence didn’t result in grievous injuries.—
Andrew Fedorov,
Travel + Leisure,
15 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
The secret to mental toughness is self-confidence.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 Feb. 2026
-
What could be tested during this time are your ability to see reality over wishful thinking, self-confidence despite setbacks, feeling lovable even if someone doesn’t come through, showing up even if someone else doesn’t.—
Tribune Content Agency,
Baltimore Sun,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In her tenure so far, the CEO has fostered a self-assurance absent from the brand in recent years.—
Emma Hinchliffe,
Fortune,
7 Feb. 2026
-
The 19-year-old’s self-assurance couldn’t come at a better time.—
Edgar Thompson,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
For all his brashness, intensity and unyielding quest for detailed excellence, his presence is far from the detached authoritarian persona of the man who coached him in New England, six-time Super Bowl winner Bill Belichick.—
Michael Silver,
New York Times,
5 Feb. 2026
-
In recent years, Ye’s irreverence and brashness shifted into something darker and far more dangerous.—
Chris Murphy,
Vanity Fair,
26 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The coalition led by Abubakar and Obi may yet figure out a maneuver and policy outlook that commands Nigerians’ attention and confidence.—
Alexander Onukwue,
semafor.com,
16 Feb. 2026
-
Students who experience high-quality civic education are more likely to complete college and develop employable skills, vote, discuss current issues, speak in public with confidence, contact public officials and volunteer in their communities to address issues of common concern.—
Erin Carlson Mast,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Texans deserve absolute assurance that no taxpayer dollars are used—directly or indirectly—to support institutions tied to terrorist organizations, criminal networks, or foreign adversaries.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Morrow received assurances from the American Legion that such discrimination would never happen again.—
Bill Swank,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
11 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cockiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cockiness. Accessed 22 Feb. 2026.
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