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smug

/smʌɡ/
Meanings
  • adjective, noun

    Feeling or expressing self-satisfaction, especially unjustifiably; having an excessively good opinion of oneself.

    - "His smug expression suggested he knew something we didn't."
    - "Despite her mistakes, she remained smug and unapologetic."
Pronunciation
  1. /smʌɡ/



    Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79241929"
Synonyms

complacent , gloaty , self-satisfied
Rhymes
Words rhyming with smug
mug , slug , rug
Variants
List of all variants of smug that leads to same result
smug , smugger , smuggest , smugly , smugness , smugnesses
Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meaning 'pleased with oneself,' from Middle English smugge, from smoken 'to smoke,' perhaps because smug people are thought to have a self-satisfied, complacent air.

Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

  1. The term 'smug' is sometimes used in a more general sense to describe anything that is self-satisfied or complacent, such as a smug city or a smug organization.

  2. In the context of shipping, a smug smack was a type of fast, well-armed vessel used to intercept and inspect other ships for contraband or illegal activities. The term 'smack' comes from the Dutch word for 'to strike'.

Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

  1. arrogance: Arrogance and smugness are related concepts, both indicating an excessive self-confidence or self-importance.

  2. self-satisfaction: Self-satisfaction is a feeling of contentment and pleasure with one's own accomplishments or qualities, which can be a positive or negative trait depending on the context. Smugness can be seen as an extreme form of self-satisfaction.

Quotes
Quotes by authors and personalities

  1. Meanwhile, supporters are "smug" and righteous that the person who manages the world's leading stock exchange deserves every million.

    - Susan Lee,{it}Wall Street Journal{/it},10 Sept. 2003

  2. Alice Norcross Pratt, a local stay-at-home mom, is portrayed as "smug" and pious, yet we also see glimmers of her hidden longings.

    - Elizabeth Graver,{it}New York Times Book Review{/it},27 May 2001

  3. She was tall and beautiful and multilingual and fiercely opinionated. One of her opinions held that the rags that passed for literary magazines on campus were so "smug" and tame and insular that it was hopeless to even try to reform them; they simply needed to be replaced.

    - Tom Perrotta,{it}Joe College{/it},2000

  4. Once, Roy dared shooters to beat him with a shot between his legs. Now, he no longer passes out such "smug" invitations. The goalie who transformed the butterfly technique into an art form has humbly decided to keep his skates a little closer together …

    - Mark Kiszla,{it}ESPN{/it},28 May 2001
Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Smugness is often portrayed negatively in literature, as it can indicate a lack of empathy or an unwarranted sense of superiority. It is also a common theme in satirical works.

How to Memorize "smug"

  1. visualize

    - Visualize a person with a smug expression, smirking and looking down on others.

  2. associate

    - Associate the word 'smug' with the feeling of being overly confident or self-satisfied.

  3. mnemonics

    - Use the mnemonic 'Smug people think they're above it all' to remember the meaning of the word.

Memorize "smug" using Dictozo

The best and recommended way to memorize smug is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

  1. Highlighting:

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