COCKY Synonyms: 65 Similar and Opposite Words

cocky

adjective

ˈkä-kē

Definition of cocky

as in wise

displaying or marked by rude boldness a cocky young actor who thought that he was God's gift to the theater

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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 cocky Not to sound cocky on another man’s behalf, but Rhys should skate to a win. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 25 July 2026 Responsible or not, Polly’s behavior is therefore at best cavalier, and at worst, especially during his police room interviews, downright cocky. — Jon O'Brien, IndieWire, 22 July 2026 Lanky with striking red hair and a cocky demeanor, Clapper was dogged and respected by his fellow cops. — Joaquin Sapien, ProPublica, 30 June 2026 Sipos as Dean, the life of the party, confident bordering on cocky. — Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 25 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for cocky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocky

Adjective

And another small change may also have benefited him, both mentally and timing-wise.

— Charlotte Varnes, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026
And that’s both take-wise as well as diversity-wise and gender-wise and religion-wise and industry-wise.

— Marcus Jones, IndieWire, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of wise

Adjective

The country’s website on the topic sports the cocksure hashtag #CroatiaYourNewOffice; Croatia’s focus on this segment of travelers has been so successful that researchers there published academic papers on the phenomenon.

— Scott Hocker, TheWeek, 14 July 2026
For one, Columbus’s face wears the haughtiest, most cocksure expression in Lewis’s body of work.

— Zachary Fine, New Yorker, 8 June 2026

Definition of cocksure

Adjective

That meant going their own way, being a little insolent and being arrogant.

— Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 12 July 2026
In the 18th century, lusty also meant insolent, which might have conveyed Anderson’s frustrations with Dina’s unwillingness to accept his authority over her.

— Carolyn Zola, The Conversation, 11 June 2026

Definition of insolent

Adjective

And Becca is so sassy too when Mel wants to try to do the examination.

— Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 14 Aug. 2026
The writing, by Estelle Hoy and Justine Gelfman, was sassy and sharp, and the narrative exuded a whimsical lewdness that cut against the production’s overall slapstick sensibility.

— Andy Battaglia, ARTnews.com, 7 Aug. 2026

Definition of sassy

Adjective

The channel’s support for Iran’s opposition turned more brazen in December, when the Islamic Republic faced another wave of demonstrations across the country.

— Cora Engelbrecht, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2026
Last year, a similarly brazen theft at the Louvre in Paris, France, put international attention on museum security.

— Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of brazen

Adjective

For a bold and vibrant fall hair transformation, consider colors with warm tones that add depth and glow to your look.

— Alyssa Rotunno, InStyle, 27 Aug. 2026
It's got a two-cartridge hybrid ink system that makes your documents look fresh and crisp with detailed text and bold colors.

— George Yang, PC Magazine, 27 Aug. 2026

Definition of bold

Browse Nearby Words

cock-ups

cocky

cocomposer

See all Nearby Words

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“Cocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocky. Accessed 31 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of cocky

adjective

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