cocky

adjective

ˈkä-kē How to pronounce cocky (audio)
Definition of cockynext
as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness a cocky young actor who thought that he was God's gift to the theater

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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 Murray, a stoic veteran, wasn’t sure what to make of Kent, who played with a cocky edge. — Tyler Kepner, New York Times, 26 July 2026 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 See All Example Sentences for cocky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocky
  1. wise
  2. cocksure
  3. insolent
  4. sassy
  5. brazen
  6. impudent
  7. bold
  8. brash
Adjective
  • Personality-wise, this is their best dance and definitely Jenna at her most free thus far.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Happy birthday to this wonderful, kind, loving, caring, fun, funny, wise young man!
    — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 29 Sep. 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
  • In the case of gay Texan barrel racer Ben McDonnell or sassy 65-year-old novelist Sherry Kuehl, the answer is absolutely.
    — Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 24 Sep. 2026
  • But fans don’t have to worry, because the woman known for her sassy rulings is not going away completely.
    — Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Sep. 2026
Definition of sassy
Adjective
  • Moscow's forces pounded apartment buildings, offices, data centers and a building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in downtown Kyiv in a brazen daytime attack.
    — CBS News, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026
  • There are also three shields on the top deck, high up where everyone can stare accusatorily at whoever is brazen enough to grab one.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 18 Sep. 2026
Definition of brazen
Adjective
  • The movie is an epic series of harrumphs and harangues, propelled from room to room—and, in time, out into the world beyond the estate—by a spirit of impudent absurdism and corrosive cynicism which seems to emanate from Digger himself.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 30 Sep. 2026
  • Mantello wasn’t being impudent.
    — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 6 May 2026
Definition of impudent
Adjective
  • Elia Kazan’s 1955 adaptation of East of Eden is a bold prestige melodrama of the sort Hollywood rarely makes these days.
    — Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 1 Oct. 2026
  • In a memo to Arthur Hays Sulzberger, the paper’s publisher, Markel urged a bold pivot.
    — Sam Ezersky, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026
Definition of bold
Adjective
  • Reiter’s character’s brash self-assurance, along with her expressive face and physicality, really complement a deadpan Wickline.
    — Rima Parikh, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2026
  • Rounding things out is a black-and-white leather interior, a brash graphics package, and a set of white 18-inch Nismo LGMT2 wheels.
    — Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 24 Sep. 2026
Definition of brash

Browse Nearby Words

cock-ups
cocky
cocomposer
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Cite this Entry

“Cocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocky. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

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