Cocksure

Cocksure describes a person who is excessively confident, often to the point of being arrogant or presumptuous. It implies an unwarranted belief in one's own abilities or knowledge, disregarding potential risks or the perspectives of others. A Cocksure individual might act as if they have all the answers, dismissing alternative viewpoints with dismissive ease, and their overconfidence can often lead to poor judgments or mistakes. The term suggests a lack of humility and a tendency to underestimate the challenges that may lie ahead, resulting in a sense of false security.

Cocksure meaning with examples

• Despite having limited experience, the young entrepreneur was Cocksure about his startup's success, brushing off concerns from seasoned investors and prematurely celebrating. His Cocksure attitude rubbed many the wrong way, hindering his ability to secure crucial funding. It seemed like he was so focused on his own vision, that he did not listen to what anyone was trying to tell him.
• The Cocksure general, confident in his tactical approach, ignored crucial intelligence reports, leading to a devastating defeat in battle. His unwavering belief in his strategy, despite mounting evidence to the contrary, cost countless lives and left him with a damaged reputation. He did not listen to the advice given by the experienced veterans and, therefore, faced dire consequences.
• After acing the practice tests, the Cocksure student walked into the final exam, unprepared for the more complex questions and ultimately failing. His overconfidence caused him to neglect thorough revision and proper practice, believing that his previous successes guaranteed similar results. That resulted in a disappointing outcome, a lesson learned the hard way.
• The Cocksure politician made several unsubstantiated claims during the debate, dismissing counterarguments and asserting the correctness of his views. His unwavering conviction and superior air alienated the audience and damaged his credibility and appeal. Even though the claims were not well-informed, he still did not back down.