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
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Recent Examples of smug
But that poem is no smug cliché.
—
Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Our friends have started getting engaged in slow, smug succession, one proposal announcement after another.
—Eileen Kelly, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
And the smug, menacing man that Hamish Linklater was portraying?
—Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
The couple shared a social class and a smug distrust of anyone outside it.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Judy Berman, Time, 8 Jan. 2026
Our friends have started getting engaged in slow, smug succession, one proposal announcement after another.
—Eileen Kelly, Vogue, 16 Dec. 2025
And the smug, menacing man that Hamish Linklater was portraying?
—Ew Staff December 5, Entertainment Weekly, 5 Dec. 2025
The couple shared a social class and a smug distrust of anyone outside it.
—Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
-
Maekar refuses, earning a cutting rebuttal from Dunk about the royal upbringing that turned Daeron (Henry Ashton) into a drunken coward and Aerion into an arrogant and cruel madman.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
23 Feb. 2026
-
And ironically, the most arrogant ones are the worst ones.—
Outside Online,
Outside Online,
11 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
For an encore, Shaham dispatched a tidy, graceful Bourrée and Double from Bach’s B minor Partita (BWV 1002).—
Scott Cantrell,
Dallas Morning News,
22 Feb. 2026
-
Rebrilliant 6-Tier Slim Rolling Storage Cart Ideal for decluttering walk-in pantries, making use of narrow kitchen gaps, and organizing laundry, bathroom, or office supplies, Rebrilliant’s slim, six-tier storage cart fits seamlessly into tight nooks and crannies to keep everything tidy.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Trump then reissued congratulations and reiterated how proud the team should be of themselves about the victory.—
Washington Examiner Staff,
The Washington Examiner,
23 Feb. 2026
-
The vibe was loud and proud, and rightfully so.—
Jessica Riley,
CBS News,
23 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Peering through the grating of a six-foot fence, Marjoleine and I could see the first brave apple blossoms, red spears of rhubarb, and compost piles, some neat, most unruly.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
19 Feb. 2026
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Shuffling the dataset’s very finite fashion footprint aside to look elsewhere, sportswear formed a neat cluster—and a useful comparison.—
Alexandra Harrell,
Sourcing Journal,
18 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
Alas for Bankman-Fried, his petitions to Trump for mercy appear to be in vain.—
Leo Schwartz,
Fortune,
24 Feb. 2026
-
Robbie, who proved her deadpan comedic acting chops in Barbie, is a joy as the flighty, vain, fast-talking Cathy, totally lacking in self-awareness.—
Radhika Seth,
Vogue,
9 Feb. 2026
Adjective
-
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
-
But Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature here as Glinda assumes statesmanlike responsibility to spread goodness in Oz, while experiencing crushing romantic disappointment that humbles her and deflates her vanity.—
David Rooney,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Nov. 2025
Adjective
-
Pair your fur-trim coat with black jeans, boots, and a designer bag, then add a few key accessories.—
Amanda Le,
InStyle,
19 Feb. 2026
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The Benefits and Drawbacks By coating the entire exterior—trim, doors, siding, and all—in a singular hue, color drenching brings all aspects together as one image.—
Shagun Khare,
Martha Stewart,
19 Feb. 2026
Adjective
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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
-
Looking elegant as ever, Huppert appears with script in hand, half-reading, half-reciting a long, self-important monologue, written by Rozek.—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
8 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
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