1
as in arrogant
having too high an opinion of oneself
a winner who was so smug that he lost the goodwill of the crowd
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in tidy
being clean and in good order
the suburb's smug lawns and tree-lined streets bespeak a comfortable affluence
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smug
The couple shared a social class and a smug distrust of anyone outside it.
—
Rachel Syme, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025
Its political class is smug, self-entitled, and has proved inept at improving the quality of the lives of Nigerians.
—Kingsley Moghalu, semafor.com, 10 Nov. 2025
But Minnesota, with or without its unapologetically smug superstar, has been the Nuggets’ kryptonite for more than a year.
—Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 28 Oct. 2025
However, Ralph has a smug attitude when talking to Brad.
—Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smug
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smug
Adjective
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This version of Ryan was arrogant, unable to conceal pride in his accomplishment.—
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So long as that situation continues, the 43-year-old’s allegedly arrogant and stand-offish treatment of his players will not worry the club hierarchy too much.—
Adjective
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That’s fine because Wayfair has storage containers, utility carts, and decorative bins to get you back on the tidy track.—
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Overflowing with furniture and decor to breathe new life into your home and make any room tidier, there are so many helpful pieces worth buying.—
Adjective
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South Florida sports history is proud to have been the host for Crump’s barrier-busting history.—
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The Big Ten is marching into the heart of Southern football with a proud swagger, daring any conference to challenge its claim as the power to beat in the College Football Playoff.—
Adjective
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There to support husband George, who is nominated for Best Male Actor, Motion Picture, Musical/Comedy at the 2026 ceremony for his performance in Jay Kelly, Amal added diamond drop earrings, a matching diamond bracelet, and a neat box clutch in that same traffic-stopping shade of red.—
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Snslxh Stackable Closet Storage Baskets, Set of 5 For bulky knits and sweaters, Lam suggests using stackable shelves like these to keep piles neat and accessible.—
Adjective
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Governments such as those of Spain and Italy demanded in vain the release of several of its nationals.—
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Some tribes in the region that traditionally hold First Salmon feasts to welcome the arrival of spring salmon from the ocean have waited for their catch in vain, forcing them to ask other tribes to donate a fish, Gobin said.—
Adjective
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But Grande’s conceited blonde bubblehead gains in stature here as Glinda assumes statesmanlike responsibility to spread goodness in Oz, while experiencing crushing romantic disappointment that humbles her and deflates her vanity.—
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The kooky characters surrounding Judge Stone included the conceited prosecutor Dan Fielding (John Larroquette), the imposing bailiff Bull Shannon (Richard Moll), and the idealistic public defender Christine Sullivan (Markie Post), each of whom had various quirks of their own.—
Adjective
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Doing so will protect your trim, paint, and even nearby drywall from mold growth and moisture damage.—
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Work With the Home's Architecture Whether your home features curved archways, trim, or no trim, finding ways to soften the environment's natural architecture is another way Capra says makes a home feel warmer through design.—
Adjective
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And women who foreground themselves in any capacity are often perceived to be self-important drama queens, or narcissists.—
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Jeffrey Tambor Known for playing the pompous, self-important mayor of Whoville, Jeffery Tambor also has an esteemed career across television and film.—
Cite this Entry
“Smug.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smug. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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