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
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
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
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The story itself is stripped to bone and sinew: a sleepy New England beach town that wants tourist dollars more than truth, an invisible killer in plain water, and three men — one scared sheriff, one cocky scientist, one Ahab of a fisherman — set adrift to settle nature’s score.—
Philip Martin,
Arkansas Online,
19 June 2025
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The Pacers—athletic, young, clever, cocky guys with vibes like the youngest brother in a rich exurban family—answered with pesky defense and an approach to basketball that more nearly approximated a sprint-heavy peewee track meet.—
Vinson Cunningham,
New Yorker,
22 May 2025
Adjective
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From there, the team set about making Victor feel comfortable and confident as both a filmmaker and a performer.—
Mark Olsen,
Los Angeles Times,
26 June 2025
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Hollinger’s analysis: Zach Kleiman once again trades up to get his guy; this pick was made by Portland but is being sent to the Grizzlies, who weren’t confident Coward would get to them at 16.—
Sam Vecenie,
New York Times,
26 June 2025
Adjective
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Washington eventually adopted more sensible approaches that mobilized the resources of key allies, developed a wiser balance between conventional and nuclear tools, and assumed a less confrontational attitude toward Moscow.—
JENNIFER LIND,
Foreign Affairs,
24 June 2025
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Those who are successful in the job market learn how to embrace tradeoffs to make wise choices.—
Michael B. Horn,
Time,
24 June 2025
Adjective
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Beth Callahan wasn't all that sure about the clinical trial at first, but Kevin couldn't stop thinking about all that had gone into it – getting chemotherapy as an approved treatment.—
Ted Koppel,
CBS News,
29 June 2025
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One thing is for sure, though: cleaning out your clothes can be a major endeavor, which can sometimes feel both emotional and overwhelming.—
Patricia Shannon,
Southern Living,
29 June 2025
Adjective
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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
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In short, Moscow sees Montenegro as both strategically valuable and an impudent upstart that has thumbed its nose at the Russian bear while genuflecting before NATO and Washington.—
Edward P. Joseph,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Dec. 2016
Adjective
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One’s insolent, calling him lame and old, and the other affectedly infantile, but both are exhausting in their own way.—
Keith Phipps,
Vulture,
16 Apr. 2025
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The government, in an insolent filing on Sunday evening, rewrote that instruction.—
Ruth Marcus,
New Yorker,
14 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Murder by Death District Music Hall, 71 Wall St., Norwalk The Indiana indie rock band Murder by Death, which features a cello in its lineup and a lot of brazen musical ideas, is calling it quits after a quarter century.—
Christopher Arnott,
Hartford Courant,
21 June 2025
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Such perspectives make Wax’s Izzy a multi-layered and often contradictory character: self-assured, yet also self-doubting; brazen, yet guilty; fearless, yet also fearful.—
Frank Rizzo,
Variety,
13 June 2025
Adjective
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The Hershey Company, known as a confectionery giant, is transforming itself into a snacking powerhouse through savvy acquisitions, bold brand building, and strategic retail partnerships.—
Shelley E. Kohan,
Forbes.com,
30 June 2025
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What was once a bold ambition is now becoming a reality.—
Amira El-Fekki,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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