as in smart alec
a person who likes to show off in a clever but annoying way
if you weren't such a wise guy all the time, people might be more interested in hearing what you have to say
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 wise guy
Indeed, other scholars insist that the Gospel’s author did not mean for the Magi to be wise guys at all—or, rather, only in the strictly Scorsesean sense, as cheaters and scammers whose fake magic was humbled by the real revelation.
—
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2023
Also Abe Lincoln, but talkin’ like a real wise guy over here.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2023
The series quickly began to suggest that there was little difference between killing on screen and killing in real life, that show business could be as cruel and capricious as organized crime, and that wiseguys could be as ridiculous and fame-obsessed as any actor or talent agent.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2023
Wayne is a wise guy who has no use for therapy.
—Wayne and Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for wise guy
Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 24 Dec. 2023
Also Abe Lincoln, but talkin’ like a real wise guy over here.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 20 Sep. 2023
The series quickly began to suggest that there was little difference between killing on screen and killing in real life, that show business could be as cruel and capricious as organized crime, and that wiseguys could be as ridiculous and fame-obsessed as any actor or talent agent.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2023
Wayne is a wise guy who has no use for therapy.
—Wayne and Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for wise guy
Recent Examples of Synonyms for wise guy
smart aleck
Noun
-
Newton scored and so did backcourt mate Cam Spencer, that different style of smart aleck, who had 20.—
Dom Amore,
Hartford Courant,
13 June 2024
-
Perry portrayed sweet, sarcastic smart aleck Chandler Bing for 10 seasons on Friends, garnering an Emmy nomination.—
EW.com,
EW.com,
29 Oct. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Wise guy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wise%20guy. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share