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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in certainty
a state of mind in which one is free from doubt
the cocksureness with which he presented his investment scheme convinced others to jump in
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of 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
Adjective
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
-
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
-
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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Howard said the Chiefs were confident that Bassa would be able to flourish in defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo’s scheme from both a mental and athletic standpoint.—
Jesse Newell,
Kansas City Star,
26 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
But that's just about the only certainty in what could otherwise be a night full of intrigue and surprises.—
Rebecca Morin,
USA Today,
25 Apr. 2025
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Without certainty of funding, the project may not advance as originally planned and Denverites will pay the price.—
Jill Locantore,
Denver Post,
25 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
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
-
Give me a little more sense of rivalry, competitiveness and, sure, bad blood.—
The Athletic NBA Staff,
New York Times,
30 Apr. 2025
Noun
-
Without robust standards and awareness, pricing shifts and country of origin don’t offer much assurance of any meaningful progress.—
Zoe Bayliss Wong,
Forbes.com,
30 Apr. 2025
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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
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
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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
Noun
-
Perhaps what was most interesting about this year’s festivities were the colors and textures that were utilized to showcase the boisterous personalities and confidence of the players.—
Robyn Mowatt,
Essence,
25 Apr. 2025
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Correlation isn’t causation, but continuity and confidence just might be contagious.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
25 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
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