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

Example 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
  • Dolphins fans were more giddy, cocky and optimistic than Philly fans, Buffalo fans, Baltimore fans and San Francisco fans combined.
    Chris Perkins, Sun Sentinel, 18 Mar. 2025
  • In the Mike White directed HBO drama, Schwarzenegger plays Saxon Ratliff, the cocky, finance bro son of a wealthy Southern family.
    Jack Dunn, Variety, 2 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • The stealth nature and structure of the agreement in addition to the comments made by Caesars and Icahn strongly indicate that this is a very amicable arrangement, and that Icahn is confident in management’s ability.
    Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 22 Mar. 2025
  • However, markets are confident that the FOMC will cut interest rates by June 18 giving a 78% chance that interest rates are below their current level of 4.25% to 4.5% by then according to the CME FedWatch Tool.
    Simon Moore, Forbes, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Here, Forbes Coaches Council members share wise strategies for tactfully and strategically highlighting your contributions at work.
    Expert Panel®, Forbes, 19 Mar. 2025
  • Speaking of family, Nivola’s parents gave him some wise advice.
    Lea Veloso, StyleCaster, 16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • In one of Saturday’s upsets sure to bust more than a few brackets, No. 10-seed Arkansas took down No. 2 St. John’s 75-66.
    Andrew Torgan, CNN, 23 Mar. 2025
  • As of now, the team isn't sure what changed the dietary habits of these infant exoplanets.
    Robert Lea, Space.com, 22 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • Fortunately, Snow White’s newfound enlightenment does not deny her the possibility of romance, although princes are now strictly off-limits; her love interest here is a fetchingly impudent bandit, Jonathan (Andrew Burnap), who is leading a scrappy rebellion against the Evil Queen.
    Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 22 Mar. 2025
  • 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
Adjective
  • Parthenope is inscrutable yet expressive, insolent yet heroic, magnetic yet unattainable, loving yet selfish.
    Mike Miller, EW.com, 12 Feb. 2025
  • 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
  • As a result of this brazen detention, Columbia Graduate School of Journalism noncitizen students have been advised to stop covering sensitive issues like Gaza, Ukraine and their own former classmate’s case, while scrubbing social media of this new wrongthink.
    New York Daily News Editorial Board, New York Daily News, 16 Mar. 2025
  • Where Whole Lotta Red felt focused in its brazen, punk-imbued approach, Music sprawls with classic Atlanta rap, industrial synths, and electropop.
    Olivier Lafontant, Pitchfork, 14 Mar. 2025
Adjective
  • From the lobby to rooms, restaurants, and the rooftop, neutral backdrops are layered with metallic accents, and bold and energetic colors like emerald green, saffron yellow, fiery chili pepper red, and Mediterranean blue.
    Elizabeth Brownfield, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025
  • Locksley strayed from bold statements at Maryland football’s spring media day.
    Michael Howes, Baltimore Sun, 26 Mar. 2025

Cite this Entry

“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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