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
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements
the sense of smugness that can come with too many easy victories
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smug
Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Step 15: Label the Tupperware with its contents and date, feeling ever-so-briefly and beautifully like a smug Instagram tradwife.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
By the end, the film doesn’t feel subversively strange, just self-consciously campy and irritatingly smug.
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025
While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Adjective
But those smug computers obviously haven’t seen a shirtless Illini coach Brad Underwood and his Super Soaker squirt gun.
—Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 18 Mar. 2025
Step 15: Label the Tupperware with its contents and date, feeling ever-so-briefly and beautifully like a smug Instagram tradwife.
—Emma Specter, Vogue, 12 Mar. 2025
By the end, the film doesn’t feel subversively strange, just self-consciously campy and irritatingly smug.
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 8 Mar. 2025
While the Duttons are just barely scraping by, the smug evil-doer is enjoying a warm bath in his mansion.
—Matt Cabral, EW.com, 23 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
-
That doesn’t portray a hero, but rather someone so arrogant as to invent his own law and appoint himself its executioner.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
11 Apr. 2025
-
Maybe so, but that’s an arrogant thing for such a young killer to say.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
5 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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This aversion to water can also be justified by their love of a tidy coat, which water can easily dishevel.—
Arick Wierson,
MSNBC Newsweek,
16 Apr. 2025
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Some residences under $5 million embody a level of splendor that defies tidy definitions.—
Spencer Elliott,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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Other highlights include the nine-foot-plus height for the tray ceiling, a walk-in closet with a skylight, and a primary bath that includes a soaking tub, separate large shower, dual sink vanity, and a private room for the commode.—
James Alexander,
Hartford Courant,
20 Apr. 2025
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Why Digital Products Are Changing the Game Entrepreneurial creators are shifting the narrative away from vanity metrics and toward meaningful income.—
Kristen Bousquet,
Forbes.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
20 Apr. 2025
-
Christine Brown's 6 Children: All About Her Son and Daughters with Sister Wives Costar and Ex Kody Brown In December 2022, Christine shared a proud mom moment with her followers on Instagram, explaining how Truely stood up to a bully at school who was bothering her friend.—
Karli Bendlin,
People.com,
20 Apr. 2025
Adjective
-
Over the next two hours, jeweler and collector pored over nearly 40 pieces, separating them into neat piles.—
Andrea Chang,
Los Angeles Times,
18 Apr. 2025
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They can be enjoyed sipped neat or poured over ice.—
Irene S. Levine,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Noun
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The leaders who earn trust today are those who anchor their work not in ego or optics, but in meaning—and who cultivate cultures that transform purpose into aligned, high-velocity execution.—
Brent Gleeson,
Forbes.com,
22 Apr. 2025
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Just like on Succession, the fragile egos, myopic intelligence, and delusional self-righteousness of these uber-wealthy nuts go haywire pretty quickly.—
Jon Blistein,
Rolling Stone,
22 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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And for any fan of the show — and Wilson’s over-the-top, egotistical Dwight — the lyrics might not be a total surprise.—
Victoria Edel,
People.com,
15 Apr. 2025
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In the 1998 episode, Theroux, 53, appears briefly as an egotistical writer who flirts with Parker’s Carrie Bradshaw at a party.—
John Russell,
People.com,
26 Mar. 2025
Adjective
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Folk Painting Many cultures have a folk painting tradition used to embellish furniture, cabinets, trim, and more.—
Abby Wolner,
Better Homes & Gardens,
19 Apr. 2025
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Compared to the current model, which has EPA ratings of 227 miles, depending on trim level, that is a significant improvement, and one that could potentially draw customers into showrooms.—
Peter Lyon,
Forbes.com,
16 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 30 Apr. 2025.
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