smart-alecky

adjective

Definition of smart-aleckynext
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

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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
  1. cute
  2. sarcastic
  3. playful
  4. satiric
  5. acidic
Adjective
  • His rapping has a frail, slithering quality; his vocal tone morphs between cute squeakiness and ragged rottweiler growls.
    — Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 21 Mar. 2025
  • This Mainstays set accomplishes both goals and is so cute for summer.
    — Megan Schaltegger, Travel + Leisure, 21 Mar. 2025
Definition of cute
Adjective
  • These behaviors may include: Making sarcastic or pointed remarks.
    — Mark Travers, Forbes, 14 Mar. 2025
  • His character is written as sharp-minded, witty, and sarcastic, according to the filmmakers.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 28 Feb. 2025
Definition of sarcastic
Adjective
  • Designers are leaning into contrast, pairing breezy fabrics with tailored precision while a muted yet playful color palette sets the tone.
    — Jailynn Taylor, Essence, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Braswell told Newsweek via TikTok that Sadie started becoming less and less playful with age.
    — Dan Perry, Newsweek, 18 Mar. 2025
Definition of playful
Adjective
  • Misery, a horror movie with a satiric streak, launched Bates’s film stardom.
    — Tim Grierson, Vulture, 21 Feb. 2025
  • The real star of the show, though, is not the satiric script or the campy performances, but rather how each character brings their own unique approach to dressing for the corporate ladder.
    — Christian Allaire, Vogue, 18 Feb. 2025
Definition of satiric
Adjective
  • The site should have well-draining loose soil with a slightly acidic or neutral pH (6.0-7.0).
    — Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 9 Mar. 2025
  • Soil pH level: The pH level tells you how acidic your soil is.
    — BestReviews, The Mercury News, 6 Mar. 2025
Definition of acidic
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.

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Cite this Entry

“Smart-alecky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart-alecky. Accessed 26 Mar. 2025.

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