as in brave
informal
having or showing a lot of courage or determination
A plucky young man who never gave up on his dream.
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 plucky
Santa Juana makes for an appealingly plucky heroine, and Richard Harmon has some very funny moments as one of Stefani’s snarky cousins.
—
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025
Denver’s plucky underdogs were on the verge of seizing a 3-1 lead over a 68-win Death Star, until their comparative lack of depth emerged as a decisive factor.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
The literary mainstream has always been shaped (for both better and worse) by intermediary institutions like university creative-writing programs, plucky little journals, and newspaper book reviews.
—Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
There actually is something at stake for these women, which frees them up for a desperate kind of humor, in the vein of those plucky social climbers in a screwball comedy from an earlier era.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for plucky
Frank Scheck, HollywoodReporter, 13 May 2025
Denver’s plucky underdogs were on the verge of seizing a 3-1 lead over a 68-win Death Star, until their comparative lack of depth emerged as a decisive factor.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 12 May 2025
The literary mainstream has always been shaped (for both better and worse) by intermediary institutions like university creative-writing programs, plucky little journals, and newspaper book reviews.
—Peter C. Baker, New Yorker, 11 May 2025
There actually is something at stake for these women, which frees them up for a desperate kind of humor, in the vein of those plucky social climbers in a screwball comedy from an earlier era.
—Alissa Wilkinson, New York Times, 1 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for plucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucky
Adjective
-
The most beautiful, kind, wise, brave, powerful people in my life.—
Ryan Brennan,
Miami Herald,
11 June 2025
-
His range, from adventurous spirit to lovestruck teen to brave hero, plays across his face with ease.—
Maureen Lee Lenker,
EW.com,
10 June 2025
Adjective
-
Very courageous of his elderly owner to part with him to ensure he was delivered into caring and loving hands.—
Rachael O'Connor,
MSNBC Newsweek,
15 June 2025
-
This month, a group of courageous plaintiffs took their fight for fairness to federal court, filing a civil rights lawsuit to hold California accountable.—
Tri Ta,
Oc Register,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
When senior Celina Frenz wasn’t dancing through defenders to create pressure, Kocher’s ability to find Meisner darting in from the left wing was the codebreaker against a valiant effort from Timnath.—
Corey Masisak,
Denver Post,
20 May 2025
-
Panthers in an 0-2 hole in the series Despite a valiant effort once again in the third — putting up 37 shot attempts and 15 scoring chances (including 10 high-danger chances) — the Panthers fell 4-3 to the Maple Leafs and are now 0-2 in the best-of-7 series.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
8 May 2025
Adjective
-
Additionally, there are the newcomers, fearless, fast, and ready to shake things up.—
Sindiswa Mabunda,
Forbes.com,
6 June 2025
-
Bred in Germany centuries ago to hunt badgers, dachshunds were designed to be persistent and fearless.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 June 2025
Adjective
-
This could be the reason that Republicans seem determined to give them a tax cut.—
Gary Franks,
Hartford Courant,
14 June 2025
-
His interest in the appraisals made by determined minds informed every issue of Lapham’s Quarterly.—
Donovan Hohn
June 13,
Literary Hub,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
Fiennes exhibits that side of him without apology, which only makes his gallant side feel all the more genuine.—
Joe Reid,
Vulture,
12 June 2025
-
Each year, Scouts, Scouters, veterans and other community groups from all over the Bay Area gather in tribute to these gallant men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our country.—
Karl Mondon,
Mercury News,
25 May 2025
Adjective
-
Coupling calmness with resolute silence can be masterful.—
John Baldoni,
Forbes.com,
1 June 2025
-
But as the match progressed, Djokovic – who turned 38 on Thursday – showed the kind of resolute determination which appeared to have deserted him of late, breaking Hurkacz four times in a tiebreak after each player had held serve throughout the second set.—
Jamie Barton,
CNN Money,
24 May 2025
Adjective
-
Indiana owns a 2-1 lead in the NBA Finals series after stealing Game 1 thanks to Tyrese Haliburton’s heroic last-second jumper to win it 111-110.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
12 June 2025
-
The chaos of our real world is mirrored in the overcrowded mess of a Pittsburgh emergency room manned by exhausted health care workers who get punched in the face for all their heroic efforts.—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
12 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Plucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucky. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share