Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cocksure contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cocksure are certain, positive, and sure. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Where would certain be a reasonable alternative to cocksure?

While in some cases nearly identical to cocksure, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

When can positive be used instead of cocksure?

The words positive and cocksure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

When is sure a more appropriate choice than cocksure?

The meanings of sure and cocksure largely overlap; however, sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocksure
Adjective
  • Estevez starred as Gordon Bombay, a cocky lawyer who's sentenced to community service after a DUI, a sentence that eventually takes the form of coaching the pee-wee players.
    Ryan Coleman, EW.com, 11 Mar. 2025
  • The case coincides with suspicious activity occurring near the border where Bernadette Manuelito (Jessica Matten) — who used to work for the Navajo Tribal Police with Chee and Leaphorn and had a relationship with Chee — now gets drawn to cocky and handsome border agent Ivan Muños (Alex Meraz).
    Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Leithauser left Dessner’s studio confident that This Side of the Island was ready to be released.
    Frank DiGiacomo, Billboard, 10 Mar. 2025
  • Coming off the back of a 7-1 win against PSV in the Champions League, Arsenal would have felt confident beating its traditional rival United, which has continued to struggle this season.
    Ben Church, CNN, 10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The Camino is wise; its lessons come slowly, mile by mile, day by day.
    Daniela Diaz, Vogue, 8 Mar. 2025
  • Even if the snow continuously falls, removing it before more than four inches accumulates is wise, as large amounts of snow are significantly more difficult to remove.
    Kamron Sanders, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • This was a great game for him, a coming-out party for sure.
    Gary Bedore, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2025
  • For example, Rankin said the moon right next to the Big Dipper asterism is a sure sign of fakery.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 13 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • 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
  • More specifically, the impudent Skull Kid steals the Ocarina of Time and turns Link into a Deku Scrub, those antagonistic tree cannons first introduced in Ocarina.
    Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
Adjective
  • Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish.
    Mike Miller, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
  • The officers weren't rude, angry, or insolent — as required of a battery conviction — and used their training and legal authority to do their jobs.
    Ryan Murphy, The Indianapolis Star, 2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
  • As a result of this brazen detention, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism noncitizen students have been advised to stop covering sensitive issues like Gaza, Ukraine and their own former classmate’s case, while scrubbing social media of this new wrongthink.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • The fight among anti-Trumpers of all stripes has faded in recent days as Trump’s brazen conquest of the spending system was looking increasingly inevitable.
    Philip Elliott, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Picture high-collar zip-ups, bold color-blocking, and contrast piping for maximum throwback appeal.
    Victoria Montalti, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2025
  • Muralist Jaya King’s bold mural spans both sides of the underpass on 21st Avenue, bringing vivid color to a neighborhood of tire shops and Mexican grocery stores.
    Joe Rubin, Sacramento Bee, 13 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 22 Mar. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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