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
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Example Sentences
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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
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
Noun
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Vintage Mirrors Layered on Surfaces Instead of hanging every mirror, try leaning a smaller antique mirror on a console, vanity, or shelf behind other objects.
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The bathroom had a roomy tub, large shower, double vanity and very good lighting.
Noun
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Instead of demanding personal fealty or humiliating them to assert personal dominance, Lincoln absorbed their egos and occasional slights, elevating their talents and turning his fiercest political adversaries into his most devoted champions.
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Politics, Lander said, didn’t have to be a selfish endeavor driven by ego.
Noun
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There was no plan, no standoff between gang rivals, no battle for pride and respect at 10th and K streets, Mtula Payton’s attorney told jurors Wednesday.
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Aside from hotel-quality designs, the bedding brand takes pride in their fair-trade practices and non-toxic materials, and has earned Fair Trade Certified and Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) seals.
Noun
-
Aerion Targaryen Aerion Targaryen (Finn Bennett), also known as Aerion Brightflame, is a volatile and cruel Targaryen prince infamous for his arrogance and violent behavior.
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Why does confidence read as passion for a white athlete, but as arrogance for a Black one?
Noun
-
The biggest risk of all is complacency.
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Now in the midst of their best stretch of the season, Marlins manager Clayton McCullough is making sure the momentum does not turn into complacency.
Noun
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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.
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After 50 minutes of self-satisfaction, the hero fades serenely into a sunset that Dudamel made miraculously mystical.
Cite this Entry
“Smugness.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smugness. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
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