plucky

adjective

Definition of pluckynext
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 In the book’s first movements, our plucky, brilliant guide through the world of Black mega-church runs on acidic observations, wit, and drolly spouted trivia. — Emily Temple, Literary Hub, 8 Sep. 2026 Even after a catastrophic 2023 heatwave set off the worst coral bleaching event in state history, some plucky polyps clung to life. — Nicolás Rivero, Miami Herald, 5 Sep. 2026 Save the Last Dance stars Stiles as Sara Johnson, a plucky 17-year-old from the suburbs of Chicago chasing dance dreams that seem increasingly unstable after her mother is killed, forcing her to relocate to the city’s gritty South Side. — Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 2 Sep. 2026 There’s a plucky little Qing Dynasty artifact that at first glance looks out of place among China’s many Forbidden City treasures. — Stephy Chung, CNN Money, 21 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for plucky
Recent Examples of Synonyms for plucky
  1. brave
  2. courageous
  3. valiant
  4. fearless
  5. determined
  6. gallant
  7. resolute
  8. heroic
Adjective
  • One fascination of this brave book—brave in its disclosures but more so in its demands, its spiritual rigor, and its ardent intellectualism—lies in watching the eloquent, intelligent sufferer steadily entrapping herself.
    — James Wood, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Prioritizing oneself is something Ariana Grande has been brave about as well, with Grande perhaps the poster child for the biggest mental health story of the year.
    — Rob LeDonne, Billboard, 10 Oct. 2026
Definition of brave
Adjective
  • As with any courageous statement, acceptance is rarely unanimous.
    — Regina Cho, VIBE.com, 19 Oct. 2026
  • Sadly, sports reformers across the country have abandoned the hard work of courageous whistleblowers, such as Bensel-Meyers, and now sing the tune of college athlete compensation.
    — Bruce Svare, Sportico.com, 17 Oct. 2026
Definition of courageous
Adjective
  • The Florida Panthers were able to mount a valiant comeback in San Jose, rallying from three goals down in the second period and scoring two in the third before ultimately falling in overtime.
    — Austin Perry OutKick, FOXNews.com, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Despite a valiant effort on the water, that milestone failed to normalize a more ever-present female presence at the Cup for almost three decades.
    — Stefano Pozzebon, CNN Money, 28 Sep. 2026
Definition of valiant
Adjective
  • The actor praised Chris Rock’s writing as fearless, describing her character as contradictory, self-destructive and prone to terrible decisions.
    — Destiny Jackson, Deadline, 21 Oct. 2026
  • Cinema needs women who are complicated, instinctive, ambitious, vulnerable, fearless and free – women who do not ask permission to take up space.
    — Leo Barraclough, Variety, 20 Oct. 2026
Definition of fearless
Adjective
  • The overwhelming problem of plastic From flax that can be used in clothing and cars to robotic skimmers to stricter laws, determined researchers, activists and volunteers fight an industry intent on making more plastic.
    — Michael Hawthorne, Chicago Tribune, 22 Oct. 2026
  • That witness said Foss left a cellphone behind after their interaction, which was later determined to have belonged to Lussier.
    — Stephen Swanson, CBS News, 22 Oct. 2026
Definition of determined
Adjective
  • Susanna Moore is terribly important to us, more so than any of Hemingway’s gallant girls.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 5 Oct. 2026
  • First to one knee and then all the way up like a gallant fighter gathering himself.
    — Mike Lupica, New York Daily News, 11 Sep. 2026
Definition of gallant
Adjective
  • And after October 7, opposition to the notion has become far more resolute.
    — Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 23 Oct. 2026
  • Almost instantly, though, the resolute Mahomes was seizing the days to make his way back.
    — Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 19 Oct. 2026
Definition of resolute
Adjective
  • High on mushrooms and his own unmoored ego, Lee’s not-quite-acceptance speech casts our protagonist as far from the heroic spotlight as anyone literally standing in one can get.
    — Ben Travers, IndieWire, 14 Oct. 2026
  • In the absence of advertising, mosaics communicated and reinforced Soviet values like space exploration and heroic factory work.
    — Yulia Denisyuk, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Oct. 2026
Definition of heroic

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plucks
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Cite this Entry

“Plucky.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/plucky. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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