SELF-SATISFIED Synonyms: 114 Similar and Opposite Words

self-satisfied

adjective

ˌself-ˈsa-təs-ˌfīd

Definition of self-satisfied

as in smug

having too high an opinion of oneself a self-satisfied woman who thought that if she could balance two careers, everyone else should too

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Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-satisfied

Adjective

Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 30 June 2026
Li at times plays Cola with a smug impetuousness that belies her naivety about this world to a satisfying degree.

— Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 17 June 2026

Definition of smug

Adjective

The proud mom shared pictures of her and Green cuddling their little one in the hospital room, concealing the newborn’s face in the snaps.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 21 Aug. 2026
Glasner is aware of Forest’s proud record of having an academy product in every matchday squad since 1941.

— Paul Taylor, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

Each of these decisions laid the groundwork for the war on Iran today, one that started without a clear strategy on the arrogant expectation of a quick victory.

— Alexander Langlois, The Orlando Sentinel, 23 Aug. 2026
The data center industry is only one face of an arrogant oligarchy that people believe now runs Congress, the courts, the White House, state legislatures and local governments.

— Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

Meanwhile, Johnson reprises his role as Moana's bantering reluctant partner, the shapeshifting trickster demigod Maui, alongside Jemaine Clement again voicing the conceited giant crustacean Tamatoa.

— Brian Truitt, USA Today, 9 July 2026
Avoid Burying Praise in Negatives To avoid making children too conceited, parents might bury praise in the midst of negatives.

— Wayne Parker, Parents, 8 Mar. 2026

Definition of conceited

Adjective

But neither country can afford to be complacent in its lead in AI hardware, said Jeremy Chih-Cheng Chang, the institute’s executive director.

— John Liu, CNN Money, 18 Aug. 2026
But investors shouldn't get complacent, as this is the point on the calendar during midterm election years that tends to get dicey.

— Sarah Min, CNBC, 17 Aug. 2026

Definition of complacent

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“Self-satisfied.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-satisfied. Accessed 27 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of self-satisfied

adjective

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