snug 1 of 2

Definition of snugnext
1
2
3
4
5

snug

2 of 2

verb

as in to snuggle
to sit or recline comfortably or cozily the farmhand snugged down in the hay and proceeded to go to sleep

Synonyms & Similar Words

Synonym Chooser

How does the adjective snug differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of snug are comfortable, cozy, easy, and restful. While all these words mean "enjoying or providing a position of contentment and security," snug suggests having just enough space for comfort and safety but no more.

a snug little cottage

When could comfortable be used to replace snug?

The words comfortable and snug can be used in similar contexts, but comfortable applies to anything that encourages serenity, well-being, or complacency as well as physical ease.

started feeling comfortable in our new surroundings

When would cozy be a good substitute for snug?

While the synonyms cozy and snug are close in meaning, cozy suggests warmth, shelter, assured ease, and friendliness.

a cozy neighborhood coffee shop

When is easy a more appropriate choice than snug?

The meanings of easy and snug largely overlap; however, easy implies relief from or absence of anything likely to cause discomfort or constraint.

living in easy circumstances

When can restful be used instead of snug?

The words restful and snug are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, restful applies to whatever induces or contributes to rest or relaxation.

a quiet restful vacation

How does the adjective snug differ from other similar words?

Some common synonyms of snug are comfortable, cozy, easy, and restful. While all these words mean "enjoying or providing a position of contentment and security," snug suggests having just enough space for comfort and safety but no more.

a snug little cottage

When could comfortable be used to replace snug?

The words comfortable and snug can be used in similar contexts, but comfortable applies to anything that encourages serenity, well-being, or complacency as well as physical ease.

started feeling comfortable in our new surroundings

When would cozy be a good substitute for snug?

While the synonyms cozy and snug are close in meaning, cozy suggests warmth, shelter, assured ease, and friendliness.

a cozy neighborhood coffee shop

When is easy a more appropriate choice than snug?

The meanings of easy and snug largely overlap; however, easy implies relief from or absence of anything likely to cause discomfort or constraint.

living in easy circumstances

When can restful be used instead of snug?

The words restful and snug are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, restful applies to whatever induces or contributes to rest or relaxation.

a quiet restful vacation

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 snug
Adjective
This duvet cover is also a bit snugger than a typical King, so the duvet feels especially lofty. Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 23 Jan. 2026 However, the width is slightly snug and some heel rubbing may occur. Toni Sutton, PEOPLE, 26 Dec. 2025
Verb
Cara found us in a big armchair at the edge of the party — José and I snug together while 30-some people mingled, drinks in hand. Gali Kronenberg, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026 There were six of us in the tent, three couples, snug in our sacks and sleeping like people drugged. Doris Decleene, Outdoor Life, 25 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for snug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for snug
Adjective
  • The book resists tidy moral conclusions.
    Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
  • That divide may look tidy on paper, but real life is messier.
    Miami Herald, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Brunson scored eight points in his first 12 minutes and looked comfortable almost immediately.
    C.J. Holmes, New York Daily News, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The family documents describe comfortable lives and prosperous businesses blown apart by the war and the mounting Nazi menace.
    Andrew Silow-Carroll, Sun Sentinel, 28 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • The same pair of pants can look utterly relaxed on a Sunday, then tackle a professional dress code come Monday morning.
    Kelsey Stiegman, Glamour, 27 Apr. 2026
  • The distressed finish fits seamlessly with a relaxed cottagecore aesthetic or a more refined French country style.
    Jacquelyn McGilvray, PEOPLE, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Kafka—who was from Prague, just over a hundred miles from here—stuck humans into impossible situations in his novels.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 27 Apr. 2026
  • His new album, Sd-3, gets it nice and stuck.
    Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 27 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Musk cofounded OpenAI as a nonprofit dedicated to creating safe AI, but Altman later launched a for-profit subsidiary and is now gearing up for an IPO.
    Andrew Edgecliffe-Johnson, semafor.com, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Albanese noted that despite concluding that risks to Australian Jews were rising, the report found that no urgent changes were required to keep Australians safe.
    ABC News, ABC News, 30 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • The young and in-love pair snuggled up to each other at the opening night of The Tenth Man on Broadway in 1989.
    Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 24 Apr. 2026
  • Cave, 38, wrote alongside a photo of herself showing off her new gold ring while snuggled up to Brown.
    Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Randolph mirrored Larter's edgy energy, sporting an oversized, rich brown leather jacket paired with a black silk skirt with lace trim.
    Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 23 Apr. 2026
  • While some trees and shrubs can handle a little trim, many cannot this time of year.
    Melissa Locker, Southern Living, 19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
  • Reaves’ soft-tissue injury usually carries a four-to-six-week recovery process.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 25 Apr. 2026
  • With Minnesota viewing them as soft, the Nuggets hardly seem bothered by the criticism.
    Troy Renck, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Snug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/snug. Accessed 1 May. 2026.

More from Merriam-Webster on snug

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster