as in smart alec
a person who likes to show off in a clever but annoying way
if you weren't such a wise guy all the time, people might be more interested in hearing what you have to say
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Recent Examples of wise guy
Yet Trump, the unwise wise guy, will eventually face less kindly examiners.
—
David Remnick, The New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2023
The series quickly began to suggest that there was little difference between killing on screen and killing in real life, that show business could be as cruel and capricious as organized crime, and that wiseguys could be as ridiculous and fame-obsessed as any actor or talent agent.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2023
Wayne is a wise guy who has no use for therapy.
—Wayne and Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2023
Oh, a wise guy, eh?
—Matt Cooperlistings Coordinator, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022
See all Example Sentences for wise guy 
David Remnick, The New Yorker, 22 Aug. 2023
The series quickly began to suggest that there was little difference between killing on screen and killing in real life, that show business could be as cruel and capricious as organized crime, and that wiseguys could be as ridiculous and fame-obsessed as any actor or talent agent.
—Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 11 Apr. 2023
Wayne is a wise guy who has no use for therapy.
—Wayne and Wanda, Anchorage Daily News, 2 Apr. 2023
Oh, a wise guy, eh?
—Matt Cooperlistings Coordinator, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2022
See all Example Sentences for wise guy
Thesaurus Entries Near wise guy
Cite this Entry
“Wise guy.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/wise%20guy. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.
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