as in arrogance
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Recent Examples of cockiness
Robert Romanus, as Damone, would scalp Ozzy Osbourne tickets to his grandmother, and yet deftly treads the tightrope between cockiness and desperation.
—
Gina Friedlande, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Wednesday’s briefing, for example, featured the usual Hegseth hubris, strutting, and cockiness.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Some players exhibit confidence that borders on cockiness.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 Mar. 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
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
Gina Friedlande, HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Wednesday’s briefing, for example, featured the usual Hegseth hubris, strutting, and cockiness.
—Peter Wehner, The Atlantic, 6 Mar. 2026
Some players exhibit confidence that borders on cockiness.
—Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 5 Mar. 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
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
-
More accurately, these failings are arrogance and incompetence.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Listen to Martyr Khamenei's words on why Islamic governments and nations must stand united and fight the US arrogance in the region.—
Steven Stalinsky,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The overconfidence of the pro-Trump push in country music pre- and postelection is backfiring on many of its most enthusiastic emissaries.—
Craig Jenkins,
Vulture,
8 Apr. 2026
-
By April 5, the sun will square Jupiter, heightening everything from overconfidence to emotional reactions.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
2 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
For business leaders, Townshend’s decision to trust his own voice is the kind of self-confidence that defines the most successful leaders.—
Paul Fitzgerald,
Rolling Stone,
3 Apr. 2026
-
So, it's been really nice to get a lot of self-confidence back, realizing a lot of self-growth and just being open.—
Haadiza Ogwude,
Cincinnati Enquirer,
1 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Her self-assurance has kept her armored against the backlash and backhanded compliments that have surfaced in some online discourse surrounding her music.—
Larisha Paul,
Rolling Stone,
25 Mar. 2026
-
Stylist Sydnee Paige—whose credits include actress Kerry Washington, WNBA player Skylar Diggins, and comedian Ziwe—has been working with Fudd since last September and can already attest to her blooming self-assurance.—
Jordan Robinson,
SELF,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Carolina did make one addition, trading for fighter Nic Deslauriers, but the brashness the Hurricanes’ front office has shown in recent years didn’t lead to the type of headline-making move seen in recent seasons.—
Cory Lavalette,
New York Times,
10 Mar. 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
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Beyond the financial impact, there's also damage to donor confidence.—
Kelly Werthmann,
CBS News,
7 Apr. 2026
-
Dan Campbell said the quiet part out loud, a bit unprompted, when asked about his confidence level in potentially moving star right tackle Penei Sewell to left tackle.—
Colton Pouncy,
New York Times,
7 Apr. 2026
Noun
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The original complaint claims the airport violated federal grant assurances connected to more than $1 million the county accepted since 2022, when the effective ban on ultralights began.—
Jake Goodrick,
Sacbee.com,
4 Apr. 2026
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Southeast Asian countries that have borne the brunt of the fuel supply shock, such as Malaysia and Thailand , have also reportedly secured assurances from Iran for the safe passage of their vessels following diplomatic intervention with Tehran.—
Anniek Bao,
CNBC,
2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cockiness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cockiness. Accessed 12 Apr. 2026.
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