smugness

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "smugness" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a state of being overly self-satisfied or conceited, often in a way that is irritating to others. Example: "His smugness after winning the debate made it difficult for others to appreciate his arguments."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Partly, this is smugness at knowing things others did not, all the more so if you have turned them on in the process, but beyond that, it is impossible not to find joy in a journey and its realisation that helps make the vicarious direct.

The Guardian - Sport

The flavour they bring to a last-minute ragu will be rivalled only by your smugness.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

What's more, his genial stiffness and shy self-awareness give him a kind of awkward dignity compared to the preening smugness of Cruz.

The Guardian - Opinion

But WaterAid's ads should puncture such smugness.

The Guardian - Opinion

This is no consolation, but I confess to a moment of smugness that I somehow read the popular mood better than pollsters and most colleagues (I also won £5,000 on the Scottish referendum but that's another story).

The Guardian - Opinion

Just as it looked like the recovery was on a firmer footing, and a little smugness had even crept in over Britain growing faster than other big economies, we're hit with fresh warnings about a slowdown.

The Guardian - Business

Gone is the suffocating smugness.

The Guardian - Opinion

Parenthood can lead to smugness, but also humility.

The Economist

The country that 20 years ago was the sick man of Europe has seen GDP per person surpass that in France, Germany and Italy.But pride can easily sour into smugness.

The Economist

You can almost feel a French-waiter smugness as the machine sends you on your way.I mention my lavatory because Western food writers who descend on Tokyo cannot seem to help writing about similar lavatories in their hotel rooms.

The Economist

SPELLING out plans from his gilded home in Raiwind in the province of Punjab on May 13th, Nawaz Sharif allowed smugness to creep in.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "smugness", consider the context to ensure it accurately reflects the sense of self-satisfaction coupled with a feeling of superiority. Overuse can make your writing sound judgmental.

Common error

Be careful not to attribute "smugness" to someone simply because they are confident or successful. "Smugness" implies an unwarranted or excessive sense of self-satisfaction that is often perceived negatively by others.

Linguistic Context

"Smugness" functions primarily as a noun, denoting the state or quality of being smug. Ludwig indicates that the term is commonly used to describe an attitude of excessive self-satisfaction or a sense of superiority. This usage aligns with examples where it characterizes behavior or feelings.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Formal & Business

21%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Science

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "smugness" is a noun used to describe the state of being smug, characterized by excessive self-satisfaction and a sense of superiority. As Ludwig illustrates, it's commonly found in news and media, as well as in formal business contexts. While grammatically correct, be mindful of its negative connotation, as highlighted by Ludwig. The term’s frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian underscores its relevance in contemporary discourse. Using alternatives like "self-satisfaction" or "complacency" may be more appropriate depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-satisfaction

Refers to contentment with oneself and one's achievements, lacking the negative connotation of superiority.

complacency

Implies a sense of security and satisfaction, often leading to a lack of vigilance or effort.

conceit

Suggests an exaggerated belief in one's own abilities and importance.

arrogance

Indicates an offensive display of superiority and self-importance.

superiority

Focuses on the feeling of being better than others, which can be expressed without overt smugness.

self-righteousness

Implies a belief in one's own moral superiority and a tendency to judge others.

hubris

Suggests excessive pride and self-confidence, often leading to a downfall.

pompousness

Refers to an exaggerated display of self-importance and formality.

vanity

Indicates excessive pride in one's appearance or accomplishments.

pretension

Suggests an attempt to impress others by claiming qualities or accomplishments one does not possess.

FAQs

How can I use "smugness" in a sentence?

"Smugness" is a noun that describes the state or quality of being smug. For example, "His "smugness" was evident after he won the competition."

What words are similar to "smugness"?

Alternatives to "smugness" include "self-satisfaction", "complacency", and "arrogance", each carrying slightly different connotations.

Is it always negative to describe someone as having "smugness"?

Yes, describing someone as having "smugness" is generally negative. It implies they are not only self-satisfied but also condescending or irritatingly pleased with themselves.

What's the difference between "smugness" and pride?

"Pride" is a feeling of satisfaction from one's own achievements or qualities, or those of people with whom one is closely associated. "Smugness", however, adds an element of excessive self-satisfaction and a sense of superiority over others.