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
  • The cocky decision will have unnerving ramifications.
    Carlos Aguilar, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
  • But get used to me — black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own.
    Mikal Gilmore, Rolling Stone, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • The survey showed 73% of chief executives surveyed were confident in their company growth prospects, compared to 70% in September and to 64% in January last year.
    Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2025
  • Donald Trump himself appeared confident, strong, and presidential.
    Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • For example, tying the knot on the same weekend as the Super Bowl in the city where the event is taking place may not be wise, as hotel availability will likely be limited and room rates may be much higher than normal.
    Metro Creative Services, Boston Herald, 19 Jan. 2025
  • Back then, wise Israelis counseled that to remain an occupying power over an understandably angry people was not only morally repugnant, but could erode Israel's own society.
    Max Rodenbeck, TIME, 17 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • If no one was injured then sure, no cover is needed.
    Simon Johnson, The Athletic, 24 Jan. 2025
  • One thing is for sure—your ex-friends are obsessed with you.
    Roya Backlund, StyleCaster, 24 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
  • In a brazen daylight carjacking, a 76-year-old Cornelius man was robbed of his SUV and $1,000 in cash while filling up at a Lake Norman-area QuikTrip on Monday, police said.
    Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 16 Jan. 2025
Adjective
  • Fifty years ago, some Catholic leaders were wiser and bolder.
    Celia Viggo Wexler, New York Daily News, 25 Jan. 2025
  • Not meant to be taken literally, the twist after a shocking act violence reads like the materialization of Ali’s desire to be a bolder, more stereotypically masculine iteration of himself.
    Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 25 Jan. 2025

Thesaurus Entries Near cocksure

Cite this Entry

“Cocksure.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/cocksure. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

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