Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective cocksure contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of cocksure are certain, positive, and sure. While all these words mean "having no doubt or uncertainty," cocksure implies presumptuous or careless positiveness.

you're always so cocksure about everything

Where would certain be a reasonable alternative to cocksure?

While in some cases nearly identical to cocksure, certain may apply to a basing of a conclusion or conviction on definite grounds or indubitable evidence.

police are certain about the cause of the fire

When can positive be used instead of cocksure?

The words positive and cocksure are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, positive intensifies sureness or certainty and may imply opinionated conviction or forceful expression of it.

I'm positive that's the person I saw

When is sure a more appropriate choice than cocksure?

The meanings of sure and cocksure largely overlap; however, sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.

felt sure that I had forgotten something

Examples 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 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 
Recent Examples of Synonyms for cocksure
Adjective
  • An immeasurable number of cocky children—not to mention the grown-ups—across the globe have followed suit, flashing obnoxious Muotombos at their smaller peers during all manner of basketball games.
    Sean Gregory, TIME, 30 Sep. 2024
  • But his vocals remain forceful as well as cocky and playful across the board.
    Chris Willman, Variety, 11 July 2024
Adjective
  • To sound extra confident, use a downward inflection and speak slowly and deliberately.
    Kyle J. Russell, USA TODAY, 29 Nov. 2024
  • Cool, confident and impressively sure of itself, 28 Hong Street is the place go and let yourself be taken with the flow.
    Paul Caputo, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • At the beginning of the first film, the Emperor is the kindly, wise, old Marcus Aurelius (Richard Harris).
    Sarah Shachat, IndieWire, 19 Nov. 2024
  • Most important, sound wise, was the Vox AC15 amplifier.
    Mike Barnes, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • For sure: The practice of tithing in many world religions is a key inspiration here.
    Dylan Matthews, Vox, 18 Nov. 2024
  • But Dwight picks the fight by almost immediately accusing Chickie of patricide, which happens to be true but won’t win you any brownie points, for sure.
    Sean T. Collins, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • More specifically, the impudent Skull Kid steals the Ocarina of Time and turns Link into a Deku Scrub, those antagonistic tree cannons first introduced in Ocarina.
    Ashley Bardhan, Vulture, 27 Sep. 2024
  • 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
  • Her subversive and dominating personality, and sometimes insolent rhetoric in her active X presence set her apart from the likes of other female AI chatbots, such as Siri whose aim is to assist and serve.
    Fatemeh Fannizadeh, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024
  • Bullock’s John Hotham is forced to manage an uprising of rogue military personal and armed insurgents on a semi-fictional January 6, 2025 that makes the real-life January 6, 2021 seem like insolent child’s play.
    Dominic Patten, Deadline, 14 June 2024
Adjective
  • As the stealing has become more brazen, the topic has grabbed a higher profile.
    Evan Clark, WWD, 22 Nov. 2024
  • Google rival DuckDuckGo, whose executives testified during last year’s trial, said that the Justice Department is doing what needs to be done to rein in a brazen monopolist.
    Michael Liedtke, Los Angeles Times, 21 Nov. 2024
Adjective
  • The suited ensemble featured a bold purple hue with a double-breasted blazer and gold buttons.
    Julia Teti, WWD, 20 Nov. 2024
  • AllModern Laurene Blackout Curtain Panel $45 $40 Wayfair There’s something timeless about a bold windowpane pattern.
    Will Porter, Architectural Digest, 19 Nov. 2024

Thesaurus Entries Near cocksure

Cite this Entry

“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 3 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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