1
as in cocky
displaying or marked by rude boldness
his cocksure assertion that only he could solve the problem
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2
as in confident
having or showing a mind free from doubt
you're always so cocksure about everything
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cocksure
From the start, Mr. Koecher was at once brilliant and hard to take—cocksure and certain that he was destined for great things.
—
Edward Kosner, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022
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
Amid the cocksure bravado of the adventure-sports world, fluidity is read as weakness.
—Alison Van Houten, Outside Online, 22 Aug. 2020
See All Example Sentences for cocksure
Edward Kosner, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022
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
Amid the cocksure bravado of the adventure-sports world, fluidity is read as weakness.
—Alison Van Houten, Outside Online, 22 Aug. 2020
See All Example Sentences for cocksure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocksure
Adjective
-
Thanks to its partnership with Microsoft, resulting in near total control of PC chips throughout the 1990s, Intel got cocky.—
Tiana Lowe Doescher,
The Washington Examiner,
5 Sep. 2025
-
Ahmed will play cocky Flight Nurse Zay Patel, Meyboom as spirited rookie Flight Nurse Piper Adler, Eling as charming First Officer Wyatt Ellis, Lee as ambitious pilot Maya Yang, and Smith as Captain Riley, a globe-trotting pilot with a past connection to Wheezer.—
Rosy Cordero,
Deadline,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Despite the struggles from Nola this season, Phillies manager Rob Thomson remains confident in his right-hander.—
Andrew Wright,
MSNBC Newsweek,
4 Sep. 2025
-
The pet supplement space is crowded with options, many of which have cheerful packaging and confident claims, yet little transparency about efficacy.—
Lyssanoel Frater,
USA Today,
3 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Even though the Fever could get into the playoffs, bringing Clark back might not be a wise decision.—
Evan Massey,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Sep. 2025
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However, nutrition-wise, corn tortillas typically offer more advantages thanks to fewer calories, less sodium, and a higher fiber content.—
Jillian Kubala,
Health,
2 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Trump’s sure to endorse Vivek’s favorite color.—
Francesca Chambers,
USA Today,
29 Aug. 2025
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Under a decent shelter, sure, but not an open campsite.—
Brad Moon,
Forbes.com,
29 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Gemma reluctantly agrees to rebuild her impudent robot in a new body, and the sequel ends with an explosive showdown between Amelia and M3GAN, who nearly dies in a noble attempt to save Gemma and her niece, Cady (Violet McGraw).—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
29 June 2025
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Fortunately, Snow White’s newfound enlightenment does not deny her the possibility of romance, although princes are now strictly off-limits; her love interest here is a fetchingly impudent bandit, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who is leading a scrappy rebellion against the Evil Queen.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Beautiful, not perfect; Alex can be rude, insolent, and subject to wild emotional swings and failures of decorum and logic.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
14 Aug. 2025
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The movie’s startling originality is in its spirit, its insolent ironies.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
30 July 2025
Adjective
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His brazen effort to take over the Federal Reserve by removing a governor who has not been fully investigated nor charged with any crime is unprecedented and has congressional Republicans worried about overreach.—
Paul Bedard,
The Washington Examiner,
30 Aug. 2025
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The brazen goofiness is applied to the movie’s howl of terror like smiley-face stickers on a gravestone.—
Richard Brody,
New Yorker,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Known on the show for her bold Malaysian flavors, the baker regularly posts baking tips and recipes with her audience, and has even spent some time with fellow contestants.—
Jane LaCroix,
PEOPLE,
8 Sep. 2025
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Carpenter joined a list of bold names like Lady Gaga, Tate McRae, Mariah Carey, and Ricky Martin as the night's performers.—
Mikelle Street,
Them.,
8 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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