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
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Recent Examples of smart-alecky
Even at its most sorrowful, anti-authoritarian, and smart-alecky, Gunn’s work endorses a fundamentally promising vision of life.
—
Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Cleverbot veers from sounding like a winsome waif to coming across as a drunk, smart-alecky fifteen-year-old who talks in non sequiturs.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Cleverbot veers from sounding like a winsome waif to coming across as a drunk, smart-alecky fifteen-year-old who talks in non sequiturs.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart-alecky
Adjective
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Fly across the world to visit archives and then look at additional pamphlets just because the covers look cute.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
10 Apr. 2026
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For adventurous travelers who want to look cute in photos but also have a hike, tennis match, or other adventure on the agenda, this pleated skirt is an ideal pick.—
Paris Wilson,
Travel + Leisure,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The fans gave him a sarcastic slow-clap, prompting him to wave his arms in encouragement.—
Abbey Mastracco,
New York Daily News,
9 Apr. 2026
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So sarcastic remarks can be ironic, but ironic remarks are not necessarily sarcastic.—
Ayana Archie,
NPR,
8 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The light green color featuring white-and-yellow flowers is bright and playful for spring, while metallic threading throughout gives this dress a more formal feel.—
Paige Bennett,
Better Homes & Gardens,
13 Apr. 2026
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The food is elegant yet playful with impeccable attention to detail.—
Tara Massouleh McCay,
Southern Living,
13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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And that’s a risk that The Audacity is courting in a premiere that doesn’t care yet about turning its satirical targets into antiheroes, which is what Glatzer was doing on Better Call Saul and Succession.—
Scott Tobias,
Vulture,
12 Apr. 2026
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Executive produced by Succession alum Jonathan Glatzer, who is also showrunner, the darkly satirical drama stars Billy Magnussen and Sarah Goldberg.—
Dade Hayes,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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What Vinegar Actually Does Vinegar is acidic, and eggshells are primarily made of calcium carbonate.—
Jessica Safavimehr,
Southern Living,
3 Apr. 2026
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Both thrive in well-draining, acidic soil and full sun.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
1 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smart-alecky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart-alecky. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
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