1
as in arrogant
having too high an opinion of oneself
a winner who was so smug that he lost the goodwill of the crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tidy
being clean and in good order
the suburb's smug lawns and tree-lined streets bespeak a comfortable affluence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smug
Most of your editorials, John Brummett, Rex Nelson, and John Deering, are blatant Trump haters, and their smug, condescending echo-chamber mindsets are constantly denigrating, mocking, and disrespecting at least 64 percent of your potential readers.
—
arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Oliver then suddenly appeared with a smug look on his face.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025
Remember how, in that SNL book, Ferrell represented the hip future of comedy, mocking the smug boomer shtick of a Chevy Chase?
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
Despite fertile premises, these films come off more smug than revelatory.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
arkansasonline.com, 15 Feb. 2025
Oliver then suddenly appeared with a smug look on his face.
—Jack Dunn, Variety, 11 Feb. 2025
Remember how, in that SNL book, Ferrell represented the hip future of comedy, mocking the smug boomer shtick of a Chevy Chase?
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 4 Feb. 2025
Despite fertile premises, these films come off more smug than revelatory.
—Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
-
So this kind of parallel can easily be drawn between Iran and other countries, [including those with] an arrogant isolation program, definitely.—
Georg Szalai,
The Hollywood Reporter,
13 Mar. 2025
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One of the targets of his reign of terror is arrogant Judge Stefan Mortensen, played by Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush admitted to the facility after being left partially paralyzed after a stroke.—
Simon Thompson,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Crypto holders had the chance to make a tidy profit selling off some of their coins—despite the fact that the stockpile in the end simply included bitcoin and all other crypto assets seized by the government, rendering the details in Trump’s posts moot.—
Ben Walsh,
The Atlantic,
8 Mar. 2025
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The finale might be reflective of LaBruce’s own skepticism, specifically his disdain for large-scale movements that advocate for a tidy future and his preference for the ideas of French philosopher and poet Jean Genet.—
P.E. Moskowitz,
Vulture,
7 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
James, the proud dad was caught on camera celebrating the win like his own team had won the championship.—
Leonard Greene,
New York Daily News,
16 Mar. 2025
-
Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
16 Mar. 2025
Adjective
-
Mel’s check is a standard-TV version of what birth usually looks like: a quick duck under the blanket, with everything neat and covered up.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
13 Mar. 2025
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These versatile spirits can be sipped neat, mixed into classic cocktails, or even paired with your favorite meals.—
Emily Price,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Finer says, tensely, that, at end of day, Liv savvy, Liv smart, Liv too egotistical to kill self.—
George Saunders,
The Atlantic,
14 Feb. 2025
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There’s no egotistical rock star bullsh**t going on here.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Stain tends to interact with natural wood grain, which can create variations that clash with siding, trim, and even your outdoor furniture.—
Lauren Thomann,
Better Homes & Gardens,
20 Mar. 2025
-
Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry both showed up to the Vanity Fair party, this year held at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, sporting a very tightly trim fringe.—
Aamina Inayat Khan,
StyleCaster,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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The heavy nature of this defeat will end any title talk, but the reality check handed out by Atalanta must not be in vain.—
Adam Digby,
Forbes,
10 Mar. 2025
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Dangerously selfish, vain and proud, Wilde’s Salome is anything but innocent.—
E.R. Zarevich,
Smithsonian Magazine,
4 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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This is the worst kind of football team: a conceited but objectively mediocre squad.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
17 Nov. 2024
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Rory Kinnear steals some of the best lines as the conceited British prime minister, and Ato Essandoh, as Kate’s deputy chief, plays the ever-flustered man surrounded by extremely capable women with admirable humor, charm, and confidence.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
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