smug

adjective

ˈsməg How to pronounce smug (audio)
Definition of smugnext
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

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 But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug. — Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 4 May 2026 McDaniels, who cut through the Nuggets’ egos early in the series with fearless words and a smug grin, got the last laugh. — Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 1 May 2026 Over the past four years, criticism of this Chelsea ownership and executive regime — whether by fans or by the media — has often met with smug or defiant responses. — Oliver Kay, New York Times, 23 Apr. 2026 My math teachers of old are very smug somewhere. — Jennifer Maas, Variety, 17 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
  1. arrogant
  2. tidy
  3. proud
  4. neat
  5. vain
  6. trim
  7. conceited
  8. self-important
Adjective
  • As such, there is a tendency among such countries to view Europeans as arrogant and self-serving, perhaps even neo-colonialist, with a desire to at least maintain, or maybe even strengthen, their position of power.
    — Simon Chadwick, Forbes.com, 17 Aug. 2026
  • James, Lord Dalhousie, the arrogant and ruthless Governor General of British India, who had long coveted the riches of Punjab and the Koh-i-Noor, was triumphant.
    — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogant
Adjective
  • Trade restrictions are breaking up world markets, but not into tidy blocs.
    — Mark Leonard, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2026
  • Trim thick plants near your home’s foundation, move piles of leaves or debris, and keep the yard tidy.
    — Jessica Safavimehr, Southern Living, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of tidy
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
  • This will help keep the plant looking tidy and neat, since new flowers will emerge from the nearest node or set of leaves rather than from the top of the stem.
    — The Spruce, The Spruce, 20 Aug. 2026
  • Tear the loaf into generous, craggy chunks rather than neat little cubes, and err on the side of bigger pieces.
    — Lillian Syme, Bon Appetit Magazine, 17 Aug. 2026
Definition of neat
Adjective
  • Hoult’s Gilderoy Lockhart a notoriously vain, boastful and fame-obsessed wizard well versed in Memory Charms who is recruited by Dumbledore as Professor of Defence Against the Dark Arts at Hogwarts.
    — Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 11 Aug. 2026
  • They are expected to become wiser but not louder, visible but not vain, accomplished but not demanding, and well-preserved but not provocative.
    — Debbie Millman, Time, 25 July 2026
Definition of vain
Adjective
  • Owner complaints around the current-generation Tundra have included interior rattles and occasional trim or electronic issues.
    — Josh Max, Forbes.com, 15 Aug. 2026
  • But the new seating configuration is part of a dizzying pricing and options matrix that will translate to the six-seat configuration adding $4,000 to $6,000 to the bill depending on the trim and interior color.
    — Joel Feder, The Drive, 13 Aug. 2026
Definition of trim
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
  • Although the director’s overuse of foot-stomp transitions can feel a bit self-important — experimental for experimental’s sake — this is interesting theater of ideas.
    — Jared Kaufman, Twin Cities, 10 Aug. 2026
  • It’s dominated by a less than transparent booster, Eli James (Michael Hough), who comes with a self-important wife, Jemma (Mary Holland), and a pair of teenage twin girls who might be described as all dressed up with nowhere to go.
    — Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2026
Definition of self-important

Browse Nearby Words

smudgy
smug
smuggle
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Cite this Entry

“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 22 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of smug for Spanish Speakers

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