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View synonyms for smug

smug

[ smuhg ]

adjective

, smug·ger, smug·gest.
  1. contentedly confident of one's ability, superiority, or correctness; complacent.
  2. trim; spruce; smooth; sleek.


smug

/ smʌɡ /

adjective

  1. excessively self-satisfied or complacent
  2. archaic.
    trim or neat
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


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Derived Forms

  • ˈsmugness, noun
  • ˈsmugly, adverb
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Other Words From

  • smug·ly adverb
  • smug·ness noun
  • un·smug adjective
  • un·smug·ness noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of smug1

First recorded in 1545–55; perhaps from Middle Dutch smuc “neat, pretty, nice”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of smug1

C16: of Germanic origin; compare Low German smuck neat
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Example Sentences

Nothing instills FOMO quite like your friends’ smug Instagram photos.

A former state senator who clashed with the group over legislation considers them “smug kingdom builders.”

Being the Ricardos’ missteps in portraying Arnaz wouldn’t feel as egregious if the film didn’t seem so smug for pointing out the discrimination he faced while he was alive.

Don’t Cry for MeThere’s a myth that we Argentines are smug and dramatic.

From Ozy

Anyone who has taken an official trip to a minority region is familiar with the requisite dance performance by awkward locals as smug officials stand by.

From Time

She was even sweet to that smug ingrate Miss Bunting after she kept insulting everyone at dinner.

If couples can seem smug and self-enclosed, the married single represents an even more irritating manifestation of that.

Over a period of just a few weeks, a host of high profile periodicals have published smug, scornful dismissals of the music.

On video, Raymond Santana was smug, boastful, and nonchalant by turns, vividly reenacting who did what during the rape.

So our “right” to feel smug about these kinds of things is rather new.

Little did Tressan dream to what a cask of gunpowder he was applying the match of his smug pertness.

There was something smug about the way he picked up his heels, swung his briefcase.

Lamb had already decided he would give it to him as he came plodding his smug little way home some evening.

That smug little editor swallowed everything that I said in the most amusing fashion.

Sinclair leaned up against a rock, his arms folded, a smug smile gradually widening across his features.

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