1
as in cute
making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred
you wouldn't be so smart-alecky if you were the one having the surgery
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sarcastic
marked by the use of wit that is intended to cause hurt feelings
smart-alecky comments from a coworker about her new clothes
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smart-alecky
Even at its most sorrowful, anti-authoritarian, and smart-alecky, Gunn’s work endorses a fundamentally promising vision of life.
—
Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Cleverbot veers from sounding like a winsome waif to coming across as a drunk, smart-alecky fifteen-year-old who talks in non sequiturs.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Matt Zoller Seitz, Vulture, 31 Oct. 2025
Cleverbot veers from sounding like a winsome waif to coming across as a drunk, smart-alecky fifteen-year-old who talks in non sequiturs.
—Patricia Marx, New Yorker, 8 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart-alecky
Adjective
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Walter, who had left the Progressive Labor Party, didn’t preach Marxism to his son, but Riley embraced a radical-left viewpoint on his own, after tagging along with some cute older girls who were participating in a cannery workers’ strike.—
Emily Nussbaum,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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He's described as being cute, with chin-length dark hair, dimples and a diamond stud in one ear.—
Jennifer McClellan,
USA Today,
17 May 2026
Adjective
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Hollywood celebs ran the gamut, from Brad Pitt—who drove one GT onto the bridge—to Jacob Elordi and Kevin Hart, while Blink 182 played a surprisingly sarcastic mini set.—
ArsTechnica,
ArsTechnica,
20 May 2026
-
Kara, wearing a vintage Blondie T-shirt and brown trench coat, fights them off while making sarcastic quips, almost Han Solo-like.—
Kate Aurthur,
Variety,
20 May 2026
Adjective
-
Enjoy romance, fun outings and playful times with kids.—
Georgia Nicols,
Denver Post,
18 May 2026
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Lagasse wants Emeril’s to make the case that New Orleans cuisine can be playful, regional, historically grounded and technically elite all at once.—
Noel Burgess,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
Adjective
-
Its satirical aim feels spot-on.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
17 May 2026
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Carter was the founder of the satirical monthly Spy and newsletter Air Mail.—
Matt Donnelly,
Variety,
14 May 2026
Adjective
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As the tissue breaks down, your mouth loses its protective barrier against germs, acidic foods, and irritation.—
Brandi Jones,
Health,
19 May 2026
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Pairing hot peppers with acidic ingredients, such as lime juice or vinegar, or with dairy, can help neutralize some of the jalapeño heat.—
Lauren Landers,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smart-alecky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart-alecky. Accessed 23 May. 2026.
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