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
In a comedic twist, the Labrador retriever was filmed turning back to his owner during the drive, with a smug look on his face as if to boast about his comfortable spot.
—
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
The letter writer’s smug verbiage may play well in one-party Maryland, but nationally, Americans seek a more collaborative, less agitational approach to political dialogue and reject arrogant, elitist insults spouted by some Democrats.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025
To Jost’s great credit, none of it would work without his willingness to stand there and serve as a punching bag, something that previous smug anchors, such as Dennis Miller, would have never allowed.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Twenty-three years of a smug, smarmy host, and a bunch of sportswriters desperate for sound bites and attention.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025
The letter writer’s smug verbiage may play well in one-party Maryland, but nationally, Americans seek a more collaborative, less agitational approach to political dialogue and reject arrogant, elitist insults spouted by some Democrats.
—Reader Commentary, Baltimore Sun, 8 June 2025
To Jost’s great credit, none of it would work without his willingness to stand there and serve as a punching bag, something that previous smug anchors, such as Dennis Miller, would have never allowed.
—Michael Tedder, The Atlantic, 17 May 2025
Twenty-three years of a smug, smarmy host, and a bunch of sportswriters desperate for sound bites and attention.
—Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
-
As the day goes on, Jim goes from a caricature of an arrogant male director to an oddly compelling picture of a pathetic man, moved by spite toward his ex-wife, Anita.—
Rafaela Bassili,
Vulture,
10 July 2025
-
Actor Tyler Hilton played Chris Keller, a charming but arrogant musician, on four seasons of the teen soap.—
Bryan West,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
It’s located right next to the Sandbox in a tidy food truck but packs a big punch.—
Jeff Goudy,
Forbes.com,
10 July 2025
-
But even the tidiest isles can succumb to storms, natural or otherwise.—
Leo Barraclough,
Variety,
9 July 2025
Adjective
-
Local entrepreneur and proud Macedonian Gordana Traycoff will lead the discussion with an evening of storytelling and cultural discovery.—
Post-Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
14 July 2025
-
Old Fitzgerald, the once proud brand with a century-long legacy, was tossed into the Bernheim sale like an extra trading card between kids to sweeten the deal, not to headline it.—
Chris Perugini,
Forbes.com,
14 July 2025
Adjective
-
Draper, up 30–love against Báez, sent a forehand into the corner that was so neat in its curve, so complete in its unanswerableness, that the crowd was very briefly silenced altogether.—
Sam Knight,
New Yorker,
12 July 2025
-
It’s been really neat to have Jack there as a reflection point throughout that process.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
11 July 2025
Adjective
-
Such an obvious way to exhibit his egotistical personality.—
Sun Sentinel Editorial Board,
Sun Sentinel,
22 June 2025
-
Responding to questions from defense lawyer Teny Geragos, Jane agreed that Combs became more apologetic and attentive, less egotistical and cold.—
NBC News,
NBC news,
13 June 2025
Adjective
-
The pair both feature a bespoke red leather by Connolly trim, which matches rather well with the features of the recording space; the duo is also hand-finished in vintage walnut, inspired by the various instruments that have graced the studio throughout the decades.—
Nicole Hoey,
Robb Report,
2 July 2025
-
Nissan Rogue and Nissan Pathfinder discounts range from $670 to a whopping $1,930 depending on the trim level.—
Charles Singh,
The Tennessean,
2 July 2025
Adjective
-
Some waved flags, some rode on shoulders and, over the noise, dozens tried in vain to call back home where the sun was just rising.—
Jordan Campbell,
New York Times,
8 July 2025
-
Since then, other Dohn administrators have tried in vain to clean up the 24-year-old school's financial mess and support its 1,600 students.—
Madeline Mitchell,
The Enquirer,
3 July 2025
Adjective
-
This is the worst kind of football team: a conceited but objectively mediocre squad.—
Dieter Kurtenbach,
The Mercury News,
17 Nov. 2024
-
Rory Kinnear steals some of the best lines as the conceited British prime minister, and Ato Essandoh, as Kate’s deputy chief, plays the ever-flustered man surrounded by extremely capable women with admirable humor, charm, and confidence.—
Ben Travers,
IndieWire,
30 Oct. 2024
Cite this Entry
“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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