as in smug
having too high an opinion of oneself
thought that the kids at his new school were snobbish and stuck-up
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Recent Examples of stuck-up
Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 7 July 2025
Greer’s disdainful, stuck-up lines ooze out of Kidman’s mouth.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
Men fear that stepping outside those norms could lead to teasing, looking unprofessional, or appearing too formal or stuck-up.
—Byeva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 June 2024
During his time at Bushwood Country Club, O’Keefe’s character becomes involved in a rivalry amongst a prominent, stuck-up member of the club – Judge Elihu Smails (played by Ted Knight) – and a boisterous, jokester guest named Al Czervik (played by legendary comedian Rodney Dangerfield).
—Ben Morse, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Adjective
The two click, and in episode 3 of the new season, Peggy visits Dr. Kirkland at his home in Newport, meeting his parents, who are extremely stuck-up and look down on Peggy's family's humbler origins.
—Maureen Lee Lenker Published, EW.com, 7 July 2025
Greer’s disdainful, stuck-up lines ooze out of Kidman’s mouth.
—Vinson Cunningham, The New Yorker, 25 Sep. 2024
Men fear that stepping outside those norms could lead to teasing, looking unprofessional, or appearing too formal or stuck-up.
—Byeva Roytburg, Fortune, 17 June 2024
During his time at Bushwood Country Club, O’Keefe’s character becomes involved in a rivalry amongst a prominent, stuck-up member of the club – Judge Elihu Smails (played by Ted Knight) – and a boisterous, jokester guest named Al Czervik (played by legendary comedian Rodney Dangerfield).
—Ben Morse, CNN, 29 Mar. 2024
Recent Examples of Synonyms for stuck-up
Adjective
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Most smug articles and books that claim to provide quick fixes come off as tone-deaf or even counterproductive.—
Anna Holmes,
The Atlantic,
27 May 2026
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But the series’ central character, played by Rachel Weisz, has enough nervous, itchy, manic energy to make the show’s narrative structure feel purposely unstable rather than safely smug.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
4 May 2026
Verb
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Back in February, just two blocks from where Monday’s victim was attacked, an 88-year-old woman was shoved to the ground and robbed of her cane, cops said.—
Thomas Tracy,
New York Daily News,
5 June 2026
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Investigators said the 15-year-olds robbed Perry of a BB gun.—
Kristine Phillips,
IndyStar,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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As Molloy gradually succeeds in puncturing Lestat’s aloof, arrogant outer shell, his sound correspondingly shifts from assaultive punk to more contemplative ballads.—
Alison Herman,
Variety,
7 June 2026
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But Lobo isn't some mindless arrogant hulk out to impose his indomitable will.—
Jeff Spry,
Space.com,
6 June 2026
Verb
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One big concern is that screens are intensively stimulating for young people because they are held up close and engage young viewers with things such as fast cuts and colors.—
CNN Money,
CNN Money,
4 June 2026
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But federal funding was held up for months, thanks to an environmental lawsuit by opponents of the facility.—
Eric Schlosser,
The Atlantic,
4 June 2026
Adjective
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Colombia of 1994 is not Colombia of 2026, a safer country, a happier country, a more united country, a prouder country.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
8 June 2026
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The quality of your trip can set a tone for the next part of your day and can shift the experience of commuting to something of which to be proud in our city.—
Chicago Tribune,
Chicago Tribune,
8 June 2026
Verb
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Archer hit Vertical Aerospace with a patent infringement suit, claiming the British air taxi maker ripped off its Midnight aircraft.—
Samantha Subin,
CNBC,
29 May 2026
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So how many pitchers have ripped off a five-game save-start-save-start-save stretch when the saves were real saves?—
Jayson Stark,
New York Times,
29 May 2026
Adjective
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Avoid Burying Praise in Negatives To avoid making children too conceited, parents might bury praise in the midst of negatives.—
Wayne Parker,
Parents,
8 Mar. 2026
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The Pitt definitely feels like the type of workplace where conceited doctors-in-training are pretty much guaranteed to quickly get knocked down a peg.—
Megan McCluskey,
Time,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
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When the United States and its allies invaded Europe on June 6, 1944, or D-Day, Orlando was paying close attention.—
Orlando Sentinel Staff,
The Orlando Sentinel,
8 June 2026
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June 6 is also the 82nd anniversary of D-Day, when Allied troops invaded Normandy, France, turning the tide of the war in Europe.—
Phaedra Trethan,
USA Today,
6 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Stuck-up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/stuck-up. Accessed 11 Jun. 2026.
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