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
Despite fertile premises, these films come off more smug than revelatory.
—
Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
No one had any right to expect much of this new Ocean’s Eleven, which on paper looked like a smug cavalcade of Hollywood royalty slumming their way through an ultra-stylish crime caper.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
And for those with smug grins outside the U.S. who still assume nothing changes — don’t be so sure.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
On Vanderpump Rules, this man was smug, pathetic, punchable.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Jan. 2025
No one had any right to expect much of this new Ocean’s Eleven, which on paper looked like a smug cavalcade of Hollywood royalty slumming their way through an ultra-stylish crime caper.
—Tim Grierson, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025
And for those with smug grins outside the U.S. who still assume nothing changes — don’t be so sure.
—Zak Doffman, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
On Vanderpump Rules, this man was smug, pathetic, punchable.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 14 Jan. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
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According to Packer, several surefire ways to ensure success start here: Be arrogant!—
Dominique Fluker,
Essence,
17 Feb. 2025
-
In 1254, King Edward I and Queen Eleanor of Castile were married at a very young age, and although Edward had a reputation for being arrogant and quarrelsome, the pair eventually fell deeply in love.—
Gulnaz Khan,
AFAR Media,
13 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Two goals on his MLS debut against Montreal was a tidy start.—
Phil Hay,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
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There were three fights in the first nine seconds, tidy one-on-one bouts.—
Louisa Thomas,
The New Yorker,
23 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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His proud display of his mug shot is just the latest example of his disregard for political norms.—
Alana Wise,
NPR,
20 Feb. 2025
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As proud Illinoisans, we were honored to showcase to our Washington colleagues what Midwest sensibility can achieve, and our visits to Project HOOD and Pacific Garden served as a reminder to us all how our civic duty affects real individuals and families.—
Danny K. Davis,
Chicago Tribune,
20 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
Twist in a neat midi knot or pin in a looser twist for a personalized style.—
Calin Van Paris,
Vogue,
18 Feb. 2025
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But the neatest summation is probably that Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen are returning to their natural places in the Bundesliga.—
Sebastian Stafford-Bloor,
The Athletic,
16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
-
There’s no egotistical rock star bullsh**t going on here.—
Quentin Thane Singer,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
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
Adjective
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Her daughter, 33, also wore a look from the McQueen spring/summer 2025 collection, featuring a black vest with white pleated chiffon trim.—
Ingrid Vasquez,
People.com,
17 Feb. 2025
-
Her eyewear was usually cushioned by her coiffed blonde hair; her beauty aesthetic built intentionally around ‘notes on bangs’: From side-swept to feathery wisps, thick curtains, and a pixie fringed trim.—
Anna Cafolla,
Vogue,
1 Feb. 2025
Adjective
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Their sacrifices remind us that doing what is right is never in vain, even when the path forward is unclear.—
Ed Gaskin,
Boston Herald,
16 Feb. 2025
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But then the Reds discover humanity already reached the surface generations ago and that their work has been in vain, only to be kept under the thumb of the ruling class.—
Clare Mulroy,
USA TODAY,
14 Feb. 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 Mar. 2025.
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