cocksure
adjective
Synonyms
- arch
- audacious
- bold
- bold-faced
- brash
- brassbound
- brassy
- brazen
- brazen-faced
- cheeky
- cocky
- fresh
- impertinent
- impudent
- insolent
- nervy
- sassy
- saucy
- wise
Example Sentences
Edward Kosner, WSJ, 25 Aug. 2022 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 Sharp has other critics around the league; some are put off by his cocksure demeanor, and resent his habit of making bold strategic assertions without sufficient data to back them up. Danny Funt, The New Yorker, 12 Feb. 2022 Even as a youth, Mellencamp had a reputation for being petulant and cocksure. Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker, 17 Jan. 2022 Tom Barrack snowed them, by projecting an earnestness and a cocksure confidence in his own knowingness that television finds irresistible. Michael Hiltzik, Los Angeles Times, 21 July 2021 See More Word History
probably from cock entry 1 + sure
1672, in the meaning defined at sense 1
cocksure
adjective
Synonyms & Similar Words
- cocky
- impudent
- wise
- insolent
- brazen
- brash
- sassy
- brassy
- cheeky
- assertive
- saucy
- defiant
- bold
- nervy
- impertinent
- blunt
- fresh
- audacious
- arch
- brazen-faced
- cute
- brassbound
- smart
- bold-faced
- disrespectful
- unabashed
- obtrusive
- unblushing
- curt
- flippant
- forward
- bluff
- shameless
- mouthy
- facetious
- pert
- flip
- lippy
- smart-aleck
- smart-alecky
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- timid
- meek
- humble
- shy
- modest
- demure
- mousy
- polite
- courteous
- proper
- genteel
- deferential
- retiring
- respectful
- mannerly
- shamefaced
- abashed
- mousey
- embarrassed
- gentle
- mild
- blushing
- inconspicuous
- unobtrusive
- ashamed
Synonyms & Similar Words
- confident
- sure
- assured
- certain
- positive
- sanguine
- implicit
- doubtless
- self-assured
- clear
- self-confident
- self-conceited
- resolute
- unquestioning
- unfaltering
- unwavering
- unhesitating
- decisive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- uncertain
- doubtful
- unsure
- dubious
- indecisive
- hesitant
- unassuming
- diffident
- wavering
- vacillating
Synonym Chooser
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.
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.
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.
The meanings of sure and cocksure largely overlap; however, sure usually stresses the subjective or intuitive feeling of assurance.