as in brave
informal
having or showing a lot of courage or determination
A plucky young man who never gave up on his dream.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of plucky
Fans of twisty murder mysteries set in stately British homes and admirers of the shrewd, plucky heroines who solve them, rejoice!
—
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
And Stella, the plucky assistant stage manager/hero, shares some DNA with Margaret Qualley’s Elizabeth Weiland—in that both women are lightly obsessed with a theater god.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The perk to being plucky in interior ice is the opportunity to score goals.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Scores of plucky swimmers plunged into 2026 early Thursday by stripping to their bathing suits in the near-freezing temperatures at DeLeon Springs State Park and jumping into the steamy water.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plucky
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 15 Jan. 2026
And Stella, the plucky assistant stage manager/hero, shares some DNA with Margaret Qualley’s Elizabeth Weiland—in that both women are lightly obsessed with a theater god.
—Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 15 Jan. 2026
The perk to being plucky in interior ice is the opportunity to score goals.
—Fluto Shinzawa, New York Times, 14 Jan. 2026
Scores of plucky swimmers plunged into 2026 early Thursday by stripping to their bathing suits in the near-freezing temperatures at DeLeon Springs State Park and jumping into the steamy water.
—Martin E. Comas, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for plucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucky
Adjective
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Today at Orlando Family Stage, the mission is to empower young people to be brave and empathetic.—
Julie Ruth Owen,
The Orlando Sentinel,
31 Jan. 2026
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Aquarius' 2026 love horoscope Be brave enough to lead with your heart, not just your mind.—
Valerie Mesa,
PEOPLE,
30 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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This has been a long runway and the mystery around Amelia Earhart’s courageous iconic life endures.—
Matthew Carey,
Deadline,
4 Feb. 2026
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What a courageous and heartwarming demonstration to remind us of our humanity.—
Ticked Off,
The Orlando Sentinel,
4 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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With Steph Curry in street clothes for the second consecutive game while dealing with runner’s knee, the 11-man Golden State put up a valiant effort that resulted in a come-from-behind 101-97 win.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
6 Feb. 2026
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An eight-point halftime lead completely vanished, and after a valiant comeback effort, SMU point guard Boopie Miller’s game-winning shot was blocked at the buzzer.—
Lia Assimakopoulos,
Dallas Morning News,
3 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Jonny Diamond, our fearless editor, has been energized this week by our comrades in Minneapolis.—
Brittany Allen,
Literary Hub,
6 Feb. 2026
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And yet, Mikki’s fearless disposition to protect Iris at all costs seems to surpass what the robot was programmed to do.—
Carlos Aguilar,
Variety,
6 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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It was later determined to have been a massive blood clot from a severe subchorionic hemorrhage — bleeding between the uterine wall and the chorionic membrane.—
Tereza Shkurtaj,
PEOPLE,
1 Feb. 2026
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But the case isn’t closed — and Latino UT students who have legal status are determined to ensure people recognize the consequence of the change.—
Lily Kepner,
Austin American Statesman,
1 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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Tilt and the gallant escort was replaced by a boy too traumatized to leave his mother’s side.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Jan. 2026
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While Son of Hitler takes plenty of creative liberty when the titular character is recruited to assassinate his famous father for the Allies, the fate of the real-life Loret isn’t so gallant.—
Rosemary Counter,
Vanity Fair,
19 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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But people are mad, and resolute.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
1 Feb. 2026
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The story finds Hyacinth in her late teen years—resolute, sure of herself, and not actively seeking a partner.—
Christina Perrier,
InStyle,
31 Jan. 2026
Adjective
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Every screening kicked off with a video tribute to him, and each replay drove home the sheer heroic improbability of what Redford had accomplished.—
Justin Chang,
New Yorker,
31 Jan. 2026
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Well up for the fight in front of their boisterous fans at the Estadio da Luz, however, Benfica went ahead 3-1 before half time and secured a heroic 4-2 win, plus qualification to the knockout phase playoff on goal difference, thanks to goalkeeper Anatoli Trubin’s 98th minute header.—
Tom Sanderson,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Plucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucky. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.
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