Synonyms of smugness

smugness

noun

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

• vanity
• ego
• pridefulness
• pride
• arrogance
• complacency
• self-satisfaction
• pomposity
• egotism
• superiority
• pompousness
• conceitedness
• vainglory
• complacence
• self-importance
• confidence
• self-conceit
• conceit
• vainness
• self-congratulation
• self-love
• amour propre
• self-admiration
• assurance
• self-opinion
• swelled head
• bighead
• vaingloriousness
• self-glory
• self-esteem
• snobbishness
• self-righteousness
• self-assurance
• superciliousness
• haughtiness
• self-confidence
• hubris
• imperiousness
• self-assumption
• swellheadedness
• overconfidence
• selfishness
• presumption
• disdainfulness
• lordliness
• egoism
• self-assertion
• pretension
• pretentiousness
• self-pride
• pretense
• self-respect
• self-centeredness

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

• humility
• modesty
• diffidence
• humbleness
• altruism
• timidity
• self-doubt
• unselfishness
• shyness
• bashfulness
• self-loathing
• passivity
• self-disgust
• demureness
• self-hate
• passiveness
• timidness

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of smugness

Even if the movie gets a bit crazy in an apocalyptic epilogue, its picture of bourgeois smugness due for a takedown is delicious. — David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 8 Sep. 2026

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