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
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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
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Recent Examples of smug
For those still on Windows 10 who might be feeling rather smug at avoiding these Windows 11 issues, Windows Latest has just issued a new warning, given that its own recent updates are not faring any better.
—
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
While half the town is eager to see the virus controlled, the other half is convinced that their smug neighbors are using a hoax of a pandemic to control and mistreat them.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
Those who live here are smug about their proximity to the city (under a 90-minute drive with no traffic) and proud of its being less stuffy than villages to the East.
—Stephanie Krikorian, Curbed, 23 June 2025
His reboot has the benefit of an actor, David Corenswet, who may not have a lot of colors to work with, but whose presence is infinitely easier to take and less of a huge pile of smug than Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Zak Doffman, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025
While half the town is eager to see the virus controlled, the other half is convinced that their smug neighbors are using a hoax of a pandemic to control and mistreat them.
—Christian Zilko, IndieWire, 18 July 2025
Those who live here are smug about their proximity to the city (under a 90-minute drive with no traffic) and proud of its being less stuffy than villages to the East.
—Stephanie Krikorian, Curbed, 23 June 2025
His reboot has the benefit of an actor, David Corenswet, who may not have a lot of colors to work with, but whose presence is infinitely easier to take and less of a huge pile of smug than Henry Cavill’s Man of Steel.
—Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune, 9 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
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But this act of arrogant bullying should also re-kindle the spirit of hope and unity that swept through this community in the aftermath of that horrible night in 2016, that still binds Orlando in its 150th anniversary year.—
Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board,
The Orlando Sentinel,
21 Aug. 2025
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Harry Potter fans might recognize Stroma for playing the arrogant Hogwarts student named Cormac McLaggen in the film franchise.—
Olivia Singh,
Forbes.com,
20 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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But even if that doesn’t happen in the short term, investors won’t be too upset, as the fund yields a tidy 8.5%.—
Michael Foster,
Forbes.com,
26 Aug. 2025
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Jean-Clair Todibo was already in place and full-back Kyle Walker-Peters is tidy enough in build-up play, but neither changes how West Ham enter the box.—
Sukhman Singh,
New York Times,
22 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Sears had a proud narrative, but Amazon had a compounding moat.—
Michael Cannivet,
Forbes.com,
31 Aug. 2025
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Both teams have won once and lost once in the top flight so far this term, and Sunderland was particularly proud of a 3-0 win at home to West Ham on the opening weekend.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Its conceit is a neat one for a film — and totally believable for a family history from anarchic Eastern Europe after the Second World War.—
Adam Solomons,
IndieWire,
28 Aug. 2025
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Four bright stars forming a neat quadrilateral, the Great Square of Pegasus anchors the constellation Pegasus, the mythical winged horse.—
Jamie Carter,
Forbes.com,
27 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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Cena gets to show off his mane of hair while playing Peacemaker, the egotistical vigilante that made his debut in 2021's Suicide Squad and now leads the acclaimed HBO Max series also starring Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, and Jennifer Holland.—
Mekishana Pierre,
EW.com,
6 Aug. 2025
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Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
Adjective
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With its square neckline and contrast trim, this ribbed maxi offers a contemporary take on the classic silhouette.—
Lauren Dana Ellman,
Travel + Leisure,
16 Aug. 2025
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Acceleration, depending upon trim level engine type, varies from 6.7 to 7.5 seconds from 0-to-60 miles per hour.—
James Raia,
Mercury News,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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She was constantly plagued by fear that her efforts would be in vain and Peach wouldn't make it.—
Alyce Collins,
MSNBC Newsweek,
29 Aug. 2025
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Johnson and his administration have spent much time and energy — mostly in vain — demanding more money from Pritzker and lawmakers in Springfield, in no small part due to the pressure on city services from having to plow more money into pension funds.—
The Editorial Board,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Aug. 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 3 Sep. 2025.
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