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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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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 playful conductor will explain you are headed to La Rojeña, the oldest distillery in Latin America, in the town of Tequila, in the state of Jalisco, and where Jose Cuervo is still produced.—
Madeleine Marr,
Miami Herald,
7 Apr. 2026
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Home and family are your main focus; nevertheless, romance and playful diversions also appeal to you.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Among them is a memoir by Kennedy’s wife, Cheryl Hines, and a satirical book about Fauci by Robert Kennedy III.—
Tom Bartlett,
The Atlantic,
5 Apr. 2026
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Dayle’s satirical novel follows a white flag-bearer pretending to be a Black soldier during the Civil War.—
Mike Danahey,
Chicago Tribune,
2 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 12 Apr. 2026.
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