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Smug vs Condescending - What's the difference?

smug | condescending |

As adjectives the difference between smug and condescending

is that smug is irritatingly pleased with oneself; self-satisfied while condescending is assuming a tone of superiority, or a patronizing attitude.

As verbs the difference between smug and condescending

is that smug is to make smug, or spruce while condescending is present participle of lang=en.

smug

English

Adjective

(smugger)
  • Irritatingly pleased with oneself; self-satisfied.
    • Kate looked extremely smug this morning.
  • (obsolete) Studiously neat or nice, especially in dress; spruce; affectedly precise; smooth and prim.
  • * Robynson (More's Utopia)
    • They be so smug and smooth.
  • * De Quincey
    • the smug and scanty draperies of his style
  • * Beaumont and Fletcher
    • A young, smug , handsome holiness has no fellow.

    Synonyms

    * self-satisfied * complacent

    Derived terms

    * smugly * smugness

    Verb

    (smugg)
  • (obsolete) To make smug, or spruce.
  • * Dryton
    • Thus said, he smugged his beard, and stroked up fair.
    (Webster 1913)

    External links

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    Anagrams

    * *

    condescending

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Assuming a tone of superiority, or a patronizing attitude.
    • Quit talking to me in that condescending tone! You always treat me like a child – ugh!

    Synonyms

    * (assuming a tone of superiority) (l)

    Derived terms

    * condescendingly

    Related terms

    * condescendence * condescension

    Verb

    (head)