smugness
9
5.7
- noun
- /smʌɡnəs/
:
suficiencia
- Her smugness was evident as she boasted about her recent promotion.
And it is the sense of smugness when someone gets knocked off their pedestal.
- And it is the sense of smugness when someone gets knocked off their pedestal.
Examples
-
The worst human traits are smugness and superciliousness in the face of the less fortunate.
Academic text (1994) -
Do I, uh, detect a hint of smugness in your voice?
-
It's late to get an ad in, but..." he allowed a bit of smugness to show in his voice, "I have connections."
Fiction book (2001) -
Her expression was neutral, but Egan could feel the smugness beneath.
Fiction book (2002) -
But everyone else is appalled at the arrogance and smugness of an elected official.
Blog text (27) -
Though he didn't smile, his face held an easy smugness that left her feeling tiny, helpless, and alone.
Fiction book (1998) -
The statistics I cited earlier should dissipate any sense of smugness or complacency.
Academic text (1990) -
There was complete tolerance based on a mixture of snobbery, security, smugness, and, above all, indifference.
Academic text (1999) -
His friend was grinning hugely, his face filled with a sickening expression of smugness.
Fiction book (1991) -
Faile, on the other hand, had donned a complacent smugness that was worrisome.
Fiction book (1992)
Synonyms
56
5.6
Extreme pride in how you look or what you can do
3
4.8
A feeling of being proud of yourself that stops you seeing your faults
1
9.9
Too much pride in your successes or looks that makes you show off
1
7.4
Feeling that you are much better than other people
A feeling of being too satisfied with yourself and not noticing problems
Thinking you are much better or more important than other people
Being too proud of your appearance or abilities
A feeling of satisfaction and confidence in yourself
Antonyms
How Self-Satisfied
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
The word smugness comes from the adjective smug, which used to describe someone 'neat and comfortable' and then came to mean a person quietly pleased with themselves. The ending -ness, as in happiness, turns an adjective into a quality, so smugness is the state of being 'too satisfied with yourself'.