PLUCKY Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

plucky

adjective

Definition of plucky

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

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 plucky This World Cup has made unlikely international stars out of a plucky Cape Verde squad, further catapulted the status of gargantuan Norwegian striker Erling Haaland and firmly planted Lionel Messi as the greatest player of his generation. — Carlos De Loera, Los Angeles Times, 7 July 2026 Robert Duncan McNeill, a Trek alum from a key The Next Generation episode, was pivotal to Voyager as the plucky pilot Tom Paris. — Jordan Hoffman, Entertainment Weekly, 4 July 2026 It’s been a decent summer so far for plucky British gumshoes. — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 30 June 2026 In my line of work, there are few things as inauspicious as a plucky gal determined to make the best of a bad situation. — Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 30 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for plucky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucky

Adjective

More than anything else, that team proved what a romantic optimist Keegan was, to dream of playing football like that in the second tier, and to be brave enough to deliver it, telling his players to go out and entertain the fans.

— James Pearce, New York Times, 22 July 2026
But getting there requires brave engagement, reflection, and art, not silence.

— Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 20 July 2026

Definition of brave

Adjective

As the final seconds ticked down on Spain’s 1-0 extra-time win over a valiant Argentina and the referee blew his whistle, one could be forgiven for their mind once again slipping to memories of La Roja’s maiden World Cup victory.

— Patrick Sung Cuadrado, CNN Money, 20 July 2026
French dreams of the yellow jersey never really got going, but Julian Alaphilippe did win two stages and the polka dot jersey, a precursor to his valiant and oh-so-close GC tilt the following year.

— Chris Marshall-Bell, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of valiant

Adjective

Betty Parsons’s importance in postwar American art history as a fearless, groundbreaking art dealer is indisputable.

— John Yau, ARTnews.com, 24 July 2026
Spain’s victory at the 2026 FIFA World Cup cemented the country’s status as soccer’s new powerhouse, with a fearless young squad that captivated fans from the opening whistle to the final.

— Leen Al Saadi, Vogue, 23 July 2026

Definition of fearless

Adjective

Those who are determined to find deer get together and annually lease the hunting rights of ranches at a cost of from $150 to $1,500, or even more, per hunter.

— Jack O'Connor, Outdoor Life, 23 July 2026
The source said Iran remained determined to control passage through the Strait of Hormuz, saying ships would be allowed to pass safely only if their transit was coordinated with Tehran and conducted under Iranian arrangements, the source said.

— Kevin Breuninger,Lim Hui Jie,Chloe Taylor,Sam Meredith, CNBC, 22 July 2026

Definition of determined

Adjective

Clearly, Americans didn’t do gallant failure, instead demanding domination over mere participation every time.

— Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Commandment was very gallant in defeat for trainer Brad Cox and looks to be on the improve after his seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026

Definition of gallant

Adjective

That approach has totted up 38 unbeaten matches and created a resolute backline – another key trait of almost all World Cup winners – through pragmatism-by-possession.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026
An extremely wacky third-place game The World Cup final tends to be a nervy affair, often marked by cautious attacks and resolute defending.

— Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 19 July 2026

Definition of resolute

Adjective

From Cabo Verde’s heroic journey led by a 40-year-old goalie with a nickname honoring his grandmother, to the spontaneous happiness from the Scottish Tartan Army, to the contagious passion from Argentine fans, micro stories moved millions of people.

— Isaac Mizrahi, Forbes.com, 23 July 2026
Jeb has always been fascinated by the heroic deeds of gunslingers, despite the Quaker teachings of nonviolence.

— Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 21 July 2026

Definition of heroic

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plucks

plucky

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“Plucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucky. Accessed 29 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of plucky

adjective

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