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
  • If the company gets cocky and goes too high, that could ruin a lot of the appeal here.
    Chris Welch, The Verge, 6 Jan. 2025
  • The mention of a weapon sets off one officer: Jaime Pino, a 20-year veteran with the cocky manner and imposing presence of a TV cop.
    Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 2 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Still, the World Health Organization aims to eliminate the disease by 2030, and officials at the Carter Center are confident that the scourge of Guinea worm disease will be over even sooner.
    Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 9 Jan. 2025
  • Freeman was confident in Love’s prep the day before the game.
    Pete Sampson, The Athletic, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Find someone who can be a sounding board and wise adviser with high mutual trust.
    Gregory Crawford, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
  • Bowman is likely to add at the deadline, but giving Philp a shot in January and February would be wise.
    Allan Mitchell, The Athletic, 6 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • This is the fastest, surest way for losing franchises to U-turn back to contention.
    Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 12 Jan. 2025
  • Kehoe wasn’t sure how much Florence had understood.
    Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 11 Jan. 2025
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
  • 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
  • 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
Adjective
  • High-profile mass shootings at the Crown Center shopping center and the Chiefs Super Bowl victory rally at Union Station heralded a violent start to the year for Kansas City in 2024, shocking the public with their brazen nature and widespread impact.
    Kendrick Calfee, Kansas City Star, 17 Jan. 2025
  • The big picture: UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty spoke at length Thursday about the brazen public shooting of Brian Thompson — who led the UnitedHealthcare division — and the company's role in the industry.
    Nathan Bomey, Axios, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Bloomberg/Getty Images The Biden administration announced a bold and controversial new export control scheme today, designed to prevent the advanced chips and artificial intelligence models themselves from ending up in the hands of adversaries such as China.
    Will Knight, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025
  • Breathing new life into a space that struggled to find its footing in the past, Chef Cabrera has brought a bold new vision to the table, blending Napa’s storied food scene with refreshing coastal flavors that undeniably deserve recognition in the culinary world.
    Keyla Vasconcellos, Forbes, 13 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near cocksure

Cite this Entry

“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 20 Jan. 2025.

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