smugness

noun

Definition of smugnessnext
as in vanity
an often unjustified feeling of being pleased with oneself or with one's situation or achievements the sense of smugness that can come with too many easy victories

Synonyms & Similar Words

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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 smugness The demon was largely limited to one expression — smugness — and was inexplicably the only character who spoke Japanese. — Corbin Bolies, Variety, 10 June 2026 One widespread subspecies endemic to the area is the haughty Cardinal, recognized by its bright-red plumage and smugness about winning a dozen National League Central crowns. — Robert Annis, Midwest Living, 31 May 2026 At one point, Catherine and I landed on the topic of smugness as an obstacle to creativity. — Cressida Leyshon, New Yorker, 24 May 2026 Excitement—and smugness—hangs in London’s air since the city has gained its own outpost of the sceney eatery. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Apr. 2026 Their attitude, their smugness was palpable. — Kels Dayton, Hartford Courant, 21 Mar. 2026 Just as in real life when a too-good singer gets the mic at karaoke, the scene has a certain smugness. — Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Mar. 2026 The smugness is thicker than split pea. — Josh Brown,sean Russo, CNBC, 4 Dec. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smugness
  1. vanity
  2. ego
  3. pride
  4. arrogance
  5. complacency
  6. self-satisfaction
Noun
  • Prioritize Lasting Placements Over Speed In staffing, speed is a vanity metric.
    — Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Most Popular In Oona’s bathroom the tiles are from Country Floors, the vintage mirror is from Venice, Italy, and the vanity is an antique chest that was converted to a vanity with fittings by Waterworks.
    — Sara Ruffin Costello, Architectural Digest, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of vanity
Noun
  • College and pro coaches are tasked with managing egos, developing young athletes and leading different personalities and goals in the same unified direction.
    — Elise Devlin, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • That takes not only a strong football mind, but also a lack of ego.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
Definition of ego
Noun
  • Stewart, while offering advice on ownership challenges, expresses pride and excitement for Briscoe, noting their relationship will evolve from idol/driver to friendly competitors.
    — Greg Engle, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026
  • And in doing so, everything gradually registers — the cadence of campus life, the pride pulsing through students and alumni, the weight of the institution’s history.
    — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
Definition of pride
Noun
  • But while that might suggest arrogance, Dawson’s answer to another question reflects humility.
    — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Aemond, too, for that matter, while Daemon’s arrogance continues to get Team Black into all sorts of predicaments.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of arrogance
Noun
  • And the fact that the Fever couldn’t match the Wings’ desperation served as another lesson in limiting complacency.
    — Brian Hamilton, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2026
  • Since complacency doesn’t appear to be in the DNA of junior running back Ammar Banire, Oswego’s coaches have been preparing to turn their backfield standout loose.
    — Rick Armstrong, Chicago Tribune, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of complacency
Noun
  • The situation gets even worse once Bonnie’s concerned parents try to connect their daughter with friends by buying her a Lilypad, a child-appropriate smart tablet in frog-like casing, voiced with slappably perky self-satisfaction by Greta Lee.
    — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
  • After 50 minutes of self-satisfaction, the hero fades serenely into a sunset that Dudamel made miraculously mystical.
    — Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times, 3 June 2026
Definition of self-satisfaction

Browse Nearby Words

smuggling
smugness
smut
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Cite this Entry

“Smugness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smugness. Accessed 25 Aug. 2026.

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