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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Recent Examples of cocky
In conversation, Cornish-Dale is cocky but likable, with a languorous way of speaking that reminded me of Simon Cowell.
—
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Stand-up comedian Andrew Schulz also joined the Street Fighter cast as Dan Hibiki, who was first introduced in Street Fighter Alpha and is characterized as being obnoxiously cocky.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot of, kind of hockey player archetypes — the flashy, cocky European superstar, that’s definitely a type.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cocky
Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 14 May 2026
Stand-up comedian Andrew Schulz also joined the Street Fighter cast as Dan Hibiki, who was first introduced in Street Fighter Alpha and is characterized as being obnoxiously cocky.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 25 Apr. 2026
There’s a lot of, kind of hockey player archetypes — the flashy, cocky European superstar, that’s definitely a type.
—ABC News, 22 Apr. 2026
The town’s overflowing with charming Midwest eccentrics, including a cocky mayor (Henry Winkler) and a welcoming barkeep (Lena Headey).
—Randy Myers, Mercury News, 15 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for cocky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocky
Adjective
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Getting a handle on almost seven decades' worth of clutter is a wise move.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
12 June 2026
-
Wouldn't that be too difficult scheduling-wise?—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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For one, Columbus’s face wears the haughtiest, most cocksure expression in Lewis’s body of work.—
Zachary Fine,
New Yorker,
8 June 2026
-
Ruben, meanwhile, is cocksure and charismatic but has a criminal record and a tendency toward violence.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
7 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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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
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Meanwhile, the insolent and hyper-confident Ruben (Stuart Campbell as a teen and Gadd as a grown-up) has been in trouble with the law from a tender age.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Los Angeles Times,
23 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Back with the layers, but on a sassy shoulder cut.—
Kaitlyn Yarborough,
Southern Living,
16 June 2026
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Strapping’s product mix is equal parts practical and playful, from tasteful housewares to apparel and linens with sassy sayings.—
Sean Timberlake,
Sacbee.com,
12 June 2026
Adjective
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As President Cyril Ramaphosa deploys soldiers and orders probes into police corruption, widespread allegations of collusion with syndicates deepen residents’ mistrust and hinder investigations into such brazen attacks.—
Michelle Gumede,
Los Angeles Times,
13 June 2026
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That is where things get especially brazen.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
13 June 2026
Adjective
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Mantello wasn’t being impudent.—
Theater Critic,
Los Angeles Times,
6 May 2026
-
His first goal was pretty enough, an inch-perfect sidefoot just inside Donnarumma’s far post, but his second was a work of impudent art.—
Liam Twomey,
New York Times,
11 Mar. 2026
Adjective
-
May 21 – June 20 What message wants a brighter, bolder voice?—
Tarot.com,
Sun Sentinel,
15 June 2026
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This look tag-teams vertical ribbons of strawberry milk with bold candy apple red for a look that's nothing short of delectable.—
Daisy Maldonado,
InStyle,
15 June 2026
Adjective
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Hall’s 2000 experience laid a caricature in the Australian sports psyche of American athletes as being loud, brash and overconfident.—
Tom Bogert,
New York Times,
16 June 2026
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The governor and his aides last year started responding to Trump’s conduct with their own brash posts on social media.—
Ted Johnson,
Deadline,
15 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Cocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocky. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
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