plucky

adjective

Definition of pluckynext
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 was 1979, when Sonny was combing greater Seattle for prospects as a plucky young head coach at Montana State. — Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 5 Aug. 2026 While Michael King struggled to finish off finicky and plucky Diamondbacks hitters, the real issue and the real worry was on the other side of the ball. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Aug. 2026 As Fignon, four-time winner Bernard Hinault and LeMond fought for the overall General Classification minutes behind, the plucky Barteau gallantly, though hopelessly, defended his lead, allowing Fignon to preserve his efforts. — Tom Campbell, New York Times, 1 Aug. 2026 And although Etna’s narrative voice—vulnerable, curious, endearingly direct—inclines the reader to envision the pluckiest good boy, humanity’s violence deprives him of a gentle youth. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucky
  1. brave
  2. courageous
  3. valiant
  4. fearless
  5. determined
  6. gallant
  7. resolute
  8. heroic
Adjective
  • How will this play out as these brave, disillusioned journalists enter our world?
    — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Gunn was indeed brave, and her performance was indeed a train wreck.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of brave
Adjective
  • However, rather than the courageous grand duchesses who fought for the freedom of their people far away, the author was fascinated by the suffragette movement of the 1910s.
    — Giorgia Olivieri, Vanity Fair, 28 Aug. 2026
  • Those early songs and some of that stuff was so courageous, so good.
    — Jim Harrington, Mercury News, 24 Aug. 2026
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • Which puts a spotlight on the embarrassing disorder of Expo Park itself (despite valiant efforts from its current leadership, including a parking lot soon to be turned into a park near BMO Stadium).
    — Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Sep. 2026
  • Tong’s valiant charge promises to yield returns in the longer term, but CT leadership must do more now to restore Connecticut’s reputation and status as a haven for all families.
    — Dr. SJ Job, Hartford Courant, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of valiant
Adjective
  • But my friends like Flo Kennedy, who was a great civil rights lawyer, and the activist Dorothy Pittman Hughes, were fearless.
    — Gloria Steinem, Glamour, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Only a freshman, the linebacker is fearless, tough and always anticipating.
    — Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 31 Aug. 2026
Definition of fearless
Adjective
  • Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton were considered as options alongside Anderson and Bouaddi, but Fernandez was the player City were most determined to sign.
    — Tim Spiers, New York Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • The kitchen is located in the new addition of the house, and Keys was determined to inject it with charm.
    — Rachel Wallace, Architectural Digest, 1 Sep. 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
  • Morgan’s resolute denials pleased his family and friends, but in fact he was deeply rattled.
    — Business Columnist, Los Angeles Times, 7 Sep. 2026
  • Yet Cao’s projects are less expository than Farocki’s, less resolute in their theses.
    — Pablo Larios, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • The closest tonally and thematically to the original, Last Crusade returns the series from the dark streaks of Temple of Doom to its more classically heroic, Third Reich-smashing roots.
    — Frank DeRuggiero, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Rather than heroic, these costly and horribly uncertain stunts come across callous and cruel.
    — Richard Lawson, HollywoodReporter, 3 Sep. 2026
Definition of heroic

Browse Nearby Words

plucks
plucky
plug
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Cite this Entry

“Plucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucky. Accessed 9 Sep. 2026.

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