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
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
In Superman, Bennett steps into the shoes of Steve Lombard, the Daily Planet's smug sports reporter.
—EW.com, 28 June 2025
One of Ferrell’s biggest and best movies was this hilarious racing spoof, which followed the rise and fall and rise of a smug champion racer, his complicated friendship with best pal and fellow racer John C. Reilly, and his rivalry with an effete, snotty Frenchman played by Sacha Baron Cohen.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
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
In Superman, Bennett steps into the shoes of Steve Lombard, the Daily Planet's smug sports reporter.
—EW.com, 28 June 2025
One of Ferrell’s biggest and best movies was this hilarious racing spoof, which followed the rise and fall and rise of a smug champion racer, his complicated friendship with best pal and fellow racer John C. Reilly, and his rivalry with an effete, snotty Frenchman played by Sacha Baron Cohen.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 27 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
-
Depicting Americans as arrogant, loud, boorish and demeaning of other cultures, the term has stuck and is still mentioned 60-plus years later.—
Jenny Peters,
Oc Register,
4 Aug. 2025
-
The most radical overhaul of the tax code in our state’s history would require voter approval in November 2026, and that starts by portraying local governments as cartoonishly arrogant, bloated and unaccountable.—
Orlando Sentinel,
The Orlando Sentinel,
26 July 2025
Adjective
-
The unconventional choice hints at the director’s disinterest in a tidy search-and-rescue, and the relief that comes with it.—
David Sims,
The Atlantic,
15 Aug. 2025
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But, Louis Menand writes, Baldwin’s life and message were always less tidy than either version suggests.—
The New Yorker,
New Yorker,
14 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
Beatrice is also the proud new patron of Borne, a medical research charity endeavoring to end premature birth.—
Janine Henni,
People.com,
7 Aug. 2025
-
The judge relented in the face of his daughter’s determination, perhaps more than a little proud of her patriotic pluck.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
7 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
In the misty central highlands, tea plantations ripple across undulating hillsides in neat green rows, as cool mist drifts through eucalyptus groves and over winding railway tracks that curve like silver ribbons.—
Lewis Nunn,
Forbes.com,
5 Aug. 2025
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For men or women, that simply means looking pulled together, with clean, neat, wrinkle free clothing, structured shoes, and nothing on your body that resembles pajamas or slippers.—
Elizabeth Heath,
Travel + Leisure,
3 Aug. 2025
Adjective
-
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
-
Dončić appears on a new cover of Men’s Health magazine, looking trim.—
Alex Kirshner,
New York Times,
30 July 2025
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Several precious feet of space in the restaurant’s trim open kitchen are dedicated to a volcanically hot charcoal grill, to properly impart the smoke and char that give the sweetness of so many dishes a dimensional, toffee-like edge.—
Helen Rosner,
New Yorker,
20 July 2025
Adjective
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During the eulogy, Neil boldly vowed that his son’s death wouldn’t be in vain.—
Maggie Menderski,
The Courier-Journal,
1 Aug. 2025
-
Once again, Arteta’s side were camped outside an opposition penalty area, trying in vain to break them down.—
Art de Roché,
New York Times,
31 July 2025
Adjective
-
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 19 Aug. 2025.
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