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Cowardly vs Smug - What's the difference?

cowardly | smug |

As adjectives the difference between cowardly and smug

is that cowardly is showing cowardice; lacking in courage; basely or weakly fearful while smug is irritatingly pleased with oneself; self-satisfied.

As an adverb cowardly

is in the manner of a coward.

As a verb smug is

(obsolete|transitive) to make smug, or spruce.

cowardly

English

Adverb

(en adverb)
  • In the manner of a coward.
  • * , Folio Society, 2006, vol.1, p.48:
    • I love to follow them, but not so cowardly , as my life remaine thereby in subjection.

    Adjective

    (en-adj)
  • Showing cowardice; lacking in courage; basely or weakly fearful.
  • * Shakespeare
    • The cowardly rascals that ran from the battle.
  • * Burke
    • The cowardly rashness of those who dare not look danger in the face.

    Related terms

    * coward

    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

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