as in wise
displaying or marked by rude boldness
a cocky young actor who thought that he was God's gift to the theater
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Recent Examples of cocky
Read more: Friends and Admirers Pay Tribute to Hollywood ‘Icon’ Val Kilmer
In 1986, in only his fourth movie role, Kilmer played a cocky pilot who easily intimidated even Tom Cruise’s smirky-confident hotshot Maverick, but even then, his macho swagger was roguish and playful.
—
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Kilmer’s Maverick would be cocky but also raw, exposed.
—John Devore, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
With a crew cut and a cocky attitude, Kilmer took blond '80s villains to a whole other level with Iceman.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Eddie is Conrad's grandson, a cocky rich kid who thinks nothing of stabbing someone in a club after a minor argument.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cocky
Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 2 Apr. 2025
Kilmer’s Maverick would be cocky but also raw, exposed.
—John Devore, Rolling Stone, 2 Apr. 2025
With a crew cut and a cocky attitude, Kilmer took blond '80s villains to a whole other level with Iceman.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 2 Apr. 2025
Eddie is Conrad's grandson, a cocky rich kid who thinks nothing of stabbing someone in a club after a minor argument.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 30 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for cocky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocky
Adjective
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Word to the wise: the end credits are more like a Marvel movie as they are interrupted by a longish extra scene that includes a special cast member, blues legend Buddy Guy, plus yet another musical number at the end of credits.—
Pete Hammond,
Deadline,
10 Apr. 2025
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Consulting with a financial advisor experienced in bear markets may also be wise.—
Trefis Team,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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No brand should be so cocksure as to presume its products are irreplaceable.—
Cate Rubenstein,
Rolling Stone,
11 Jan. 2023
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Nayeri’s demeanor — usually cocksure — became unhinged.—
Tim Dickinson,
Rolling Stone,
17 Dec. 2022
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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Her hair had a new do, short and sassy, instead of her shoulder-length bob.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
5 Apr. 2025
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The sassy semi-homemade dressing (featuring Italian dressing, balsamic, honey, and crushed red pepper flakes), the tender sautéed chicken, and the enticing combination of colorful vegetables really help this supper shine.—
Karla Walsh,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Again, an astute grader would undoubtedly catch your brazen attempt and ding you points accordingly.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
8 Apr. 2025
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The boisterous comedian lights up the stage with sly wit and brazen confidence, conveying Moss’ righteous fury over being bottom of the office food chain.—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
1 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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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
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In short, Moscow sees Montenegro as both strategically valuable and an impudent upstart that has thumbed its nose at the Russian bear while genuflecting before NATO and Washington.—
Edward P. Joseph,
Foreign Affairs,
22 Dec. 2016
Adjective
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From bold predictions about who's walking out with championship gold to sit-downs with WWE superstars on the verge of history, this preshow is serving as your all-access pass into the chaos, glory, and drama that makes WrestleMania the biggest spectacle in sports entertainment.—
Nicholas Creel,
MSNBC Newsweek,
19 Apr. 2025
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Also, the Fed must be free to move quickly to deploy bold strategies, such as its bond-buying campaign during the 2008 financial crisis and emergency lending measures during the COVID-19 recession of 2020, Conti-Brown said.—
Paul Davidson,
USA Today,
19 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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Stoic and brash, the audience learns Staten is still reeling from immense loss.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
17 Apr. 2025
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At the moment, Sherlock needs someone gutsy and brash like Amelia, because he’s been more or less sidelined since his best friend Dr. Watson and his landlady Mrs. Hudson were kidnapped.—
Nina Metz,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cocky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocky. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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