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
Examples 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 smug
If Dani hadn’t shown up looking dreadfully smug, Helen could have gotten on with her morning and done her bit to prevent a war.
—
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Does not change the fact the Oli is way in over his head and too smug for his own good.
—Katie Woo, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024
The season’s final images of the now-President Grace Penn looking smug and Wyler looking panicked signal the power struggle to come.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Mars took a chilling photo of Carolyn Bryant, a thin, pale brunette with dark lipstick and sharp eyebrows, sitting cross-armed in the gallery, looking smug.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smug 
Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 6 Dec. 2024
Does not change the fact the Oli is way in over his head and too smug for his own good.
—Katie Woo, The Athletic, 2 Aug. 2024
The season’s final images of the now-President Grace Penn looking smug and Wyler looking panicked signal the power struggle to come.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 13 Nov. 2024
Mars took a chilling photo of Carolyn Bryant, a thin, pale brunette with dark lipstick and sharp eyebrows, sitting cross-armed in the gallery, looking smug.
—Paige Williams, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
-
Julie Bowen and Christopher McDonald return as love interest Virginia Venit and arrogant rival Shooter McGavin, respectively, and the cast includes rookies like Bad Bunny, Travis Kelce and pro wrestler Maxwell Jacob Friedman.Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 17 Jan. 2025
-
Those include genial second-year resident Dr. King (Taylor Dearden), arrogant intern Santos (Isa Briones), and doe-eyed med students Javadi (Shabana Azeez) and Whittaker (Gerran Howell).Ryan Schwartz, TVLine, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Its tidy exterior is clad in a wood-look plank siding trimmed in white to coordinate with a range of architectural styles.Miles Walls, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Jan. 2025
-
Follow the tantalizingly tidy writer of this newsletter on the socials @jimreineking 🎊.Jim Reineking, USA TODAY, 10 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Ben Stiller, the director, executive producer, and a key creative force behind the show, is certainly too famous to show up at this pop-up, let alone stand outside of it among the people, snapping photos on his smartphone like a proud dad at his kid's dance recital.Eliana Dockterman, TIME, 15 Jan. 2025
-
Green would likely be proud of the award-winning bottles being produced today.Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
Nearly every piece of furniture has a special detail that helps the decor elude neat classifications.Troy J. McMullen, Architectural Digest, 13 Jan. 2025
-
Govee Gaming Pixel Light Govee makes some neat products and the new Gaming Pixel Light looks like another winner, especially for those who enjoy pixel art.Paul Du Quenoy, Newsweek, 9 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This was my chance to not be an actor, not have that stink of being an actor, that egotistical, show-off, controlling, making choices, being clever part of being an actor.Chris Vognar, Los Angeles Times, 31 Dec. 2024
-
The film, which centers on a group of egotistical actors making a Vietnam War movie, grossed nearly $200 million worldwide and picked up an Oscar nomination for supporting actor thanks to Robert Downey Jr.Zack Sharf, Variety, 26 Nov. 2024
Adjective
-
Both would be useful additions, but likely would not fit into a smart ring as trim as the current Samsung Galaxy Ring.Andrew Williams, Forbes, 27 Dec. 2024
-
One recent study found formaldehyde in 20% of the cotton clothing researchers examined, but it was gone after the items had been washed. Cars Formaldehyde adhesives can be found in vehicle dashboards, seat coverings, flooring materials, carpeting, door trim, window sealant and armrests.Topher Sanders, ProPublica, 9 Dec. 2024
Adjective
-
While the palace guards congratulate and pet Weasel and treat him as a hero for saving the country, Nina’s death is pointless and in vain.Rafael Motamayor, IndieWire, 9 Jan. 2025
-
Any suggestion that the disaster — which has already killed two people, destroyed about 1,000 structures and caused 70,000 people to be placed under an evacuation order — would lead to a moment of national unity was in vain.Niall Stanage, The Hill, 8 Jan. 2025
Adjective
-
This is the worst kind of football team: a conceited but objectively mediocre squad.Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 17 Nov. 2024
-
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
Thesaurus Entries Near smug
Cite this Entry
“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share