SMUG Synonyms: 178 Similar and Opposite Words

smug

adjective

ˈsməg

Definition of smug

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

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

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of smug Historian Sandgruber describes how Alois Hitler wrote his 1895 letters in a deeply smug, anti-clerical manner that overestimated his abilities. — 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 Federer, especially—unperturbed, smug, highly punchable—seems to have brought an almost martyr-like tenacity out of Nadal. — Naomi Fry, New Yorker, 6 June 2026 Most smug articles and books that claim to provide quick fixes come off as tone-deaf or even counterproductive. — Anna Holmes, The Atlantic, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for smug

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug

Adjective

Elon Musk — Ike Barinholtz has Musk wandering in from another movie, or dimension, a ramble-y, arrogant but ultimately comically non-threatening figure.

— Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 6 Oct. 2026
The loud-mouthed cameos from ex-soccer players Zlatan Ibrahimović and Eric Cantona in Nike’s World Cup hero film Rip the Script were indicative of this, chiming with an older, more arrogant vision of Nike seen in the ’90s and the aughts.

— Joe Bobowicz, Vogue, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of arrogant

Adjective

The tidy nature of the buildings, which had once been a source of pride for Shawn, now appeared threatening in its precision.

— Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026
Try to put your economy-of-motion hat on and organize each step of the process in a way that’s organized and tidy.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of tidy

Adjective

Guys are proud to wear a Florida Panthers jersey, and the expectations are high.

— Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026
The Segerstrom is also heralded for its hospitality; Reitz is particularly proud that the center received an award from Broadway Across America for being voted the most welcoming spot on Broadway tours.

— Jenelle Riley, Los Angeles Times, 29 Sep. 2026

Definition of proud

Adjective

There is also a focus on air and light, with the main lobby and restaurant having vast open walls, open-air ceilings, indoor gardens, and neat pools of water, all of which allow the Mediterranean breeze to circulate through.

— Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026
As pony hair has become more broadly popular in sneakers, particularly with animal prints, Nike has also outfitted other versions of the Air Force 1 Low with a neater length of the material.

— Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026

Definition of neat

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

Drawing on his experiences as a wrestler and 24-hour gym-bro style, fits were kept trim so Dong could wear, say, a pair of training shorts ($98) with a matching black quarter zip ($155) to workout in between market appointments in Paris.

— Ari Stark, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026
Designers suggest using bold shades for walls, trim, or ceilings, while balancing intensity with neutral tones.

— Tessa Cooper, Better Homes & Gardens, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of trim

Adjective

These species, along with teal and shovelers, often get categorized by self-important duck hunters as scrap ducks or bonus ducks.

— Alex Robinson, Outdoor Life, 9 Sep. 2026
Public officials attend each year to bear witness and show their respects, not deliver self-important speeches.

— Ken Frydman, New York Daily News, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of self-important

Adjective

California shouldn’t be complacent, but the state isn’t slouching on preparation, or resolve.

— Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 25 Sep. 2026
Top grading involves removing a leader who has grown complacent and is no longer the right match for the job and replacing them with someone who is better equipped for the new challenges in the role.

— Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of complacent

Browse Nearby Words

smudgy

smug

smuggle

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“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 7 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of smug

adjective

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