1
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred
you wouldn't be so smart-alecky if you were the one having the surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
smart-alecky comments from a coworker about her new clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart-alecky
Adjective
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At a press screening of the film in March, these cute, interstitial clips drew big laughs.—
Eric Renner Brown,
Billboard,
7 May 2025 -
Wine corks also make cute place card holders and wine glass charms.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
7 May 2025
Adjective
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Green’s teammate, Moses Moody, gave a sarcastic response to Brooks’ assertion.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
25 Apr. 2025
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It was followed by a sarcastic post targeting Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.).—
Ashleigh Fields,
The Hill,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The moment instantly sparked playful reactions cross the internet with some cheekily demanding the robot get its act together.—
Caché McClay,
USA Today,
18 May 2025
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Plus, the playful green shade will add a pop of color to any summer travel wardrobe.—
Melony Forcier,
Travel + Leisure,
18 May 2025
Adjective
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That’s the premise of Douglas Is Cancelled, a cruelly funny 2024 BBC sitcom that seems very much in sync with satiric comedies such as The Office and W1A and Yes Minister.—
Air Mail,
Air Mail,
22 Mar. 2025
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Misery, a horror movie with a satiric streak, launched Bates’s film stardom.—
Tim Grierson,
Vulture,
21 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Some also claim that tomatoes turn out sweeter in less acidic soil, though the sugar content of a tomato may have more to do with that.—
Brandee Gruener,
Southern Living,
16 May 2025
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Prep the Soil Watermelons are heavy feeders that need full sun, well-draining and slightly acidic soil, and lots of nutrients to grow.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 May 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Smart-alecky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart-alecky. Accessed 22 May. 2025.
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