1
as in cocky
displaying or marked by rude boldness
his cocksure assertion that only he could solve the problem
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2
as in confident
having or showing a mind free from doubt
you're always so cocksure about everything
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of cocksure
Amid the cocksure bravado of the adventure-sports world, fluidity is read as weakness.
—
Alison Van Houten, Outside Online, 22 Aug. 2020
So cocksure are they, even their hair seems to swagger.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2022
Craig Kilborn, the fratty cocksure original host of The Daily Show, had gotten his big call-up from CBS to host the late-night slot following David Letterman’s, which was one of two jobs Stewart didn’t get.
—Devin Gordon, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2022
After the evacuation, the four Brits were skewered as irresponsible and cocksure by Icelanders and media outlets around the world.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2016
See All Example Sentences for cocksure
Alison Van Houten, Outside Online, 22 Aug. 2020
So cocksure are they, even their hair seems to swagger.
—San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 May 2022
Craig Kilborn, the fratty cocksure original host of The Daily Show, had gotten his big call-up from CBS to host the late-night slot following David Letterman’s, which was one of two jobs Stewart didn’t get.
—Devin Gordon, The Atlantic, 21 Apr. 2022
After the evacuation, the four Brits were skewered as irresponsible and cocksure by Icelanders and media outlets around the world.
—Devon O’Neil, Outside Online, 20 Apr. 2016
See All Example Sentences for cocksure
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocksure
Adjective
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Dolphins fans were more giddy, cocky and optimistic than Philly fans, Buffalo fans, Baltimore fans and San Francisco fans combined.—
Chris Perkins,
Sun Sentinel,
18 Mar. 2025
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In the Mike White directed HBO drama, Schwarzenegger plays Saxon Ratliff, the cocky, finance bro son of a wealthy Southern family.—
Jack Dunn,
Variety,
2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Good teams feel confident regardless of the day’s starting pitcher.—
Grant Brisbee,
New York Times,
3 Apr. 2025
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Jean looked confident and composed in dispatching the much more experienced Berkhamov.—
Trent Reinsmith,
Forbes.com,
3 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Mid-soul-searching, a wise friend suggested something.—
Jed Brewer,
Rolling Stone,
1 Apr. 2025
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Getting struck by lightning might not sound like a very wise idea to us, but for one tropical tree species, an occasional zap is a good thing.—
Sara Hashemi,
Smithsonian Magazine,
31 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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In one of Saturday’s upsets sure to bust more than a few brackets, No. 10-seed Arkansas took down No. 2 St. John’s 75-66.—
Andrew Torgan,
CNN,
23 Mar. 2025
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As of now, the team isn't sure what changed the dietary habits of these infant exoplanets.—
Robert Lea,
Space.com,
22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Fortunately, Snow White’s newfound enlightenment does not deny her the possibility of romance, although princes are now strictly off-limits; her love interest here is a fetchingly impudent bandit, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who is leading a scrappy rebellion against the Evil Queen.—
Justin Chang,
The New Yorker,
22 Mar. 2025
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One chord appears to speak to the other, sounding almost impudent in their simplicity, equal parts ecstatic and heartbreakingly melancholic.—
Sam Davies,
Rolling Stone,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish.—
Mike Miller,
EW.com,
12 Feb. 2025
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The officers weren't rude, angry, or insolent — as required of a battery conviction — and used their training and legal authority to do their jobs.—
Ryan Murphy,
The Indianapolis Star,
2 Dec. 2024
Adjective
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The most alarming misbehavior was brazen dishonesty.—
Steven Levy,
Wired News,
28 Mar. 2025
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If that seems brazen, don’t forget: The Big Ten and SEC used the threat of forming their own football postseason event as a means of seizing control of the College Football Playoff governance structure.—
Jon Wilner,
Mercury News,
28 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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From the lobby to rooms, restaurants, and the rooftop, neutral backdrops are layered with metallic accents, and bold and energetic colors like emerald green, saffron yellow, fiery chili pepper red, and Mediterranean blue.—
Elizabeth Brownfield,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
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Locksley strayed from bold statements at Maryland football’s spring media day.—
Michael Howes,
Baltimore Sun,
26 Mar. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 6 Apr. 2025.
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