PLUCKY Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words

plucky

adjective

Definition of plucky

as in brave

informal having or showing a lot of courage or determination A plucky young man who never gave up on his dream.

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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 And although Etna’s narrative voice—vulnerable, curious, endearingly direct—inclines the reader to envision the pluckiest good boy, humanity’s violence deprives him of a gentle youth. — Rachel Vorona Cote, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026 California sewed up 2nd place, amazingly, in the group with a win over the plucky Miami team. — Todd Boss, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026 The story of a plucky Canadian station in the golden era of alternative radio is headed to PBS. — Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 21 July 2026 In other words, Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass is exactly like The Wizard of Oz, complete with a plucky young woman from the Sunflower State. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for plucky

Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucky

Adjective

One brave expression can bring more life back into your day than overthinking ever will.

— Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
Pictures from History/Getty Images Duleep was the child of Singh and Rani Jindan, a beautiful and brave woman.

— Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of brave

Adjective

President Harry Truman’s courageous decision to support the United Nations in defending the South against invasion from the North laid the foundation for today’s remarkably successful Republic of Korea.

— Arthur I. Cyr, Chicago Tribune, 18 Aug. 2026
But no revelation is as courageous or groundbreaking as Panettiere’s description of her experience with postpartum depression.

— Culture Critic, Los Angeles Times, 18 Aug. 2026

Definition of courageous

Adjective

What would be the worst moment in a mere mortal’s career, Hoecht turned into a valiant scene.

— Tim Graham, New York Times, 4 Aug. 2026
Despite Aldis's valiant comeback, including a superplex and a King's Lynn Cloverleaf that nearly secured the win, Gunther ultimately prevailed.

— Alfred Konuwa, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of valiant

Adjective

Founded by Charles Tanqueray in London, the brand was built on a fearless pursuit of perfection — with over 300 versions created before the final London Dry expression was perfected.

— Forbes.com, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
But Abney’s instincts and fearless makeup were always going to leave an impact on this staff.

— Colton Pouncy, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of fearless

Adjective

Brazil is the first South American nation to host the tournament and will play in the opener on June 24 against a yet-to-be-determined opponent in the 73,000 seat Maracana, which also hosted the 2014 men's World Cup final.

— ABC News, ABC News, 20 Aug. 2026
Mission specialists were still determined to mount a last-ditch rescue effort.

— Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 20 Aug. 2026

Definition of determined

Adjective

Clearly, Americans didn’t do gallant failure, instead demanding domination over mere participation every time.

— Terry Baddoo, USA Today, 14 June 2026
Commandment was very gallant in defeat for trainer Brad Cox and looks to be on the improve after his seventh-place finish in the Kentucky Derby.

— Danny Brewer, Forbes.com, 8 June 2026

Definition of gallant

Adjective

Still, co-founder and CEO Adam Taubenfligel remains resolute.

— Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 7 Aug. 2026
That approach has totted up 38 unbeaten matches and created a resolute backline – another key trait of almost all World Cup winners – through pragmatism-by-possession.

— Chris Evans, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Definition of resolute

Adjective

The challenge is to preserve human dignity while recovering our capacity for heroic ambition.

— Fareed Zakaria, Washington Post, 21 Aug. 2026
Reading will never survive as an individual act of heroic resistance; history shows that reading is and always has been a solitary act sustained by communities.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

Definition of heroic

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plucks

plucky

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“Plucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucky. Accessed 24 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of plucky

adjective

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