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

Relevance

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 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

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

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

For all the conservative positioning of Anne as a rebuttal to more urban, racially diverse, multicultural programming…Anne had more significance than this neat divide between contemporary culture and conservative history.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 26 Aug. 2026
As of this writing, the Rockies are at a perfectly neat 62-100 pace.

— Grant Brisbee, New York Times, 25 Aug. 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

Hyundai There’s also a bigger 61-kWh pack that boosts range to as much as 308 miles (496 km), depending on trim, with a 10-to-80% DC charging time of around 30 minutes.

— New Atlas, New Atlas, 24 Aug. 2026
Trees that are suited to your growing zone and local climate conditions will be easier to maintain over time, but be mindful of the pruning and other types of care trees will need to keep them looking trim, tidy, and healthy.

— Lauren Landers, The Spruce, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of trim

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

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

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 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of smug

adjective

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