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
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smug
Woods kept everyone guessing — a favorite hobby of his — with one word and a smug grin last week at Riviera when he was asked if playing in the Masters was off the table.
—
ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Dealing with prying relatives or well-meaning (or not-so-well-meaning) smug married friends?
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
But that poem is no smug cliché.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smug
ABC News, 24 Feb. 2026
Dealing with prying relatives or well-meaning (or not-so-well-meaning) smug married friends?
—Literary Hub, 13 Feb. 2026
But there’s a throughline in Smith’s most popular works — he’s been cast repeatedly as a villain, and usually an arrogant or smug one.
—Sophia Solano, Washington Post, 7 Feb. 2026
But that poem is no smug cliché.
—Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
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As the sun and Jupiter clash, you’re cosmically protected, but arrogant behavior won’t get a pass.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
5 Apr. 2026
-
For Iran, what counts is resistance, against arrogant and wicked oppressors, chiefly the United States and Israel.—
Graeme Wood,
The Atlantic,
3 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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That’s not an opinion shared by MVP Arena in Albany, though, which expects to turn a tidy profit this weekend.—
Justin Birnbaum,
Sportico.com,
29 Mar. 2026
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The Firkus house was clean and tidy, and the entryway table beside the front door was undisturbed.—
ABC News,
ABC News,
27 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, a proud UCLA alum, recorded a video congratulating the team on its title win from one champion to another.—
Marisa Ingemi,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Apr. 2026
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Sister Linda DeCero, a proud South Philadelphia native, is full of energy and Philly sports pride.—
Wakisha Bailey,
CBS News,
6 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The brain bug's intrinsic ick factor is undeniably high, but using their proboscises to suck thoughts directly from the brains of their unfortunate victims is a pretty neat party trick.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
2 Apr. 2026
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Trim them to clean, neat geometric shapes to contrast with the biomorphic shapes of hydrangeas.—
Leanne Potts,
Better Homes & Gardens,
2 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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This was in vain, as after falling on a safety squeeze, Miner hit a line drive down the left line to add an insurance run and go up 4-1.—
Tony Gleason,
Daily News,
29 Mar. 2026
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Baritone Aleksey Bogdanov is a scene-stealing delight as the vain bullfighter Escamillo.—
Pam Kragen,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
28 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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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
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The Pitt definitely feels like the type of workplace where conceited doctors-in-training are pretty much guaranteed to quickly get knocked down a peg.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Adjective
-
Jenner, who shares daughter Stormi, 8, and son Aire, 4, with ex Travis Scott, showcased a neon chartreuse string bikini with lace trim.—
Danielle Minnetian,
FOXNews.com,
31 Mar. 2026
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Moreover, the trim little contraption cut a wholesome figure reminiscent of a Richard Scarry book—as if a courtesy tram birthed a tiny Zamboni.—
Henry Alford,
New Yorker,
30 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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Only this time the interns are boring Gen Z stereotypes (obsessed with TikTok, too sensitive, too emotional, too self-important).—
Kelly Lawler,
USA Today,
25 Feb. 2026
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This isn’t just one self-important critic’s opinion — Berry herself has talked about it.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 7 Apr. 2026.
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