smart aleck
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
He’s a pint-sized smart aleck who cares deeply for Dunk.
From Salon ● Jan. 17, 2026
OK, a smart aleck would say that’s a low bar.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 21, 2019
I was never a troublemaker, but I was always a smart aleck.
From Slate ● Feb. 21, 2018
As Stengel later recalled: “You ought to have seen his face when he came out and saw that. Of course, he knew then that I was a big smart aleck, the same as himself.”
From Washington Post ● Apr. 7, 2017
And if you tell ’em you knew a witty boy, you gotta tell ’em he was kind of a smart aleck, though, or a wise guy.
From "Nine Stories" by J. D. Salinger
The question comes: “Are you a sailor?” — prompting Popeye’s first smart-aleck response: “ ‘Ja think I’m a cowboy?”
From Washington Post ● Jun. 3, 2022
That may have been reflected later in his embrace of quarterback Billy Joe Hobert, described by Gastineau as “a smart-aleck country kid” and “riverboat gambler” but also an intense competitor who oozed confidence.
From Seattle Times ● Aug. 18, 2021
Joseph’s smart-aleck comedy, compulsively exposing the scared and needy boy behind the bully, wears thin in places.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 11, 2020
“No smart-aleck private detective is going to walk in here and call me a liar!” snarled Bugs.
From Slate ● Oct. 31, 2018
Selena and I had a routine now that consisted of ignoring each other at first, making faces from across the aisle, and eventually trading smart-aleck remarks.
From "The First Rule of Punk" by Celia C. Pérez
