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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Recent Examples of plucky
Designers like Sergio Hudson and Emilia Wickstead showcased cotton candy pink on their spring/summer 2025 runways, while labels like Quince and Hill House Home have plucky shades like sky blue on offer.
—
Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 25 June 2025
This finals matchup is a perfect promotional ending, with this 68-win Thunder squad showing dominance is still possible in the second-apron era and the plucky Pacers (who started the season 10-15 before finishing 50-32) reminding the masses underdog tales are still in play, too.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Other crucial plot developments have involved the reveal that a French chef wasn’t actually French, a plucky servant’s attempts to patent an alarm clock, and Agnes’s dramatic decision to cross the street in order to speak to the Russells in person.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 June 2025
The plucky teen son of the chief, a boy named Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), befriends a sleek black dragon named Toothless and learns that fighting the beasts isn’t the only answer.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for plucky
Victoria Montalti, Refinery29, 25 June 2025
This finals matchup is a perfect promotional ending, with this 68-win Thunder squad showing dominance is still possible in the second-apron era and the plucky Pacers (who started the season 10-15 before finishing 50-32) reminding the masses underdog tales are still in play, too.
—Sam Amick, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Other crucial plot developments have involved the reveal that a French chef wasn’t actually French, a plucky servant’s attempts to patent an alarm clock, and Agnes’s dramatic decision to cross the street in order to speak to the Russells in person.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 17 June 2025
The plucky teen son of the chief, a boy named Hiccup (played by Mason Thames), befriends a sleek black dragon named Toothless and learns that fighting the beasts isn’t the only answer.
—David Sims, The Atlantic, 13 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for plucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucky
Adjective
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Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar applauded its brave storytelling.—
Olivia Pinnock,
Forbes.com,
15 July 2025
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The mayor and the county commissioners should join us and be brave with us.—
Sister Ann Kendrick,
The Orlando Sentinel,
13 July 2025
Adjective
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Be courageous and walk up to people who seem interesting.—
Harriette Cole,
Mercury News,
10 July 2025
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Just in time for Mercury retrograde to begin on July 18, the messenger planet will backspin through your second house of self-worth and value systems, encouraging you to speak up and be more courageous and authentic about your heart’s desires.—
Valerie Mesa,
People.com,
10 July 2025
Adjective
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Still, Jurassic World Rebirth makes a valiant effort to put its own terrifying spin on the source material.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
3 July 2025
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Despite his valiant efforts, however, Gi-hun doesn’t make it out of this story alive.—
Jackie Strause,
HollywoodReporter,
28 June 2025
Adjective
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The key was producing a fearless collective of players — at odds with the previous century of football in Belgium.—
Jacob Whitehead,
New York Times,
10 July 2025
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Her all-court game and fearless attitude have turned heads, and her poise beyond her years is drawing comparisons to some of the sport's all-time greats.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 July 2025
Adjective
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By morning, they were determined to find a way out.—
Julianna Bragg,
CNN Money,
20 July 2025
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With a bout against WBA champion Fernando Daniel Martinez already confirmed for November, Rodriguez must first take care of business against a dangerous and determined Cafu.—
Kilty Cleary,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 July 2025
Adjective
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In 1951, George Reeves played the gallant superhero in the first feature film based on a DC Comics character, Superman and the Mole Man.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
11 July 2025
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Fiennes exhibits that side of him without apology, which only makes his gallant side feel all the more genuine.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
Adjective
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Corenswet has the right look—he’s got the glossy black hair, the resolute jaw—which points to another general Superman strength, particularly on film.—
Stephanie Zacharek,
Time,
11 July 2025
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While many Iranians have left Tehran amid ongoing turmoil, those who remain are resolute in their commitment to stay and support one another.—
Amir Daftari,
MSNBC Newsweek,
20 June 2025
Adjective
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Depicted is a serpentine landscape where the heroic raid took place.—
Chadd Scott,
Forbes.com,
19 July 2025
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In a heroic effort to distract the demogorgons so his friends could kill Vecna (Jamie Campbell Bower), Eddie meets his demise after being brutally murdered in the Upside Down.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
16 July 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucky. Accessed 23 Jul. 2025.
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