1
as in cocky
displaying or marked by rude boldness
his cocksure assertion that only he could solve the problem
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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But on the occasions when the ball did find him around the box, the cocky assurance that saw him nutmeg Branthwaite en route to scoring a 29-minute hat-trick in last season’s corresponding fixture was nowhere to be seen.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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The Rock, cocky, handsome, and eager to flaunt his wealth and status, facing Stone Cold, the vicious everyman who can’t stand figures of authority.—
Daniel Dockery,
Vulture,
21 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And over the opening month of this season, Yamamoto’s confident mound presence has been mirrored behind the scenes, the pitcher becoming more vocal in game-planning meetings and assured in his clubhouse demeanor.—
Jack Harris,
Los Angeles Times,
27 Apr. 2025
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Both Roseman and Sirianni were confident that Mukuba could deliver the same blows in the NFL despite being undersized.—
Brooks Kubena,
New York Times,
26 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Guidance and tariffs Dover made a few wise adjustments to its full-year outlook.—
Jeff Marks,
CNBC,
24 Apr. 2025
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Deferring college acceptance—postponing enrollment typically for one year—can be a thoughtful strategy when life circumstances, personal goals or practical considerations suggest that waiting might be the wiser path.—
Dr. Aviva Legatt,
Forbes.com,
24 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Acharya can’t be entirely sure, but there’s no evidence an actual human being, much less any sort of expert on vaccines or shingles, reviewed her grant proposal or assessed her work.—
Mark Z. Barabak,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Apr. 2025
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Give me a little more sense of rivalry, competitiveness and, sure, bad blood.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 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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That’s about how much the owner of a Los Angeles jewelry store estimates was the value of merchandise stolen by burglars in a brazen heist last weekend.—
Jade Walker,
CNN Money,
16 Apr. 2025
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From the November 2023 issue: Sophie Gilbert on what Madonna knows The brazen sexuality of the video was the whole point.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
15 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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America, meet the Orb: a bold new attempt to verify you’re not a bot — just by looking you in the eye.—
Jennifer Jolly,
USA Today,
2 May 2025
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Then, on May 4, the moon will reach its first-quarter phase in your sign, fueling your confidence and urging you to take bold action toward your personal goals.—
Staff Author,
People.com,
1 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 4 May. 2025.
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