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Smug vs Arrogant - What's the difference?

smug | arrogant |

As adjectives the difference between smug and arrogant

is that smug is irritatingly pleased with oneself; self-satisfied while arrogant is having excessive pride in oneself, often with contempt for others.

As a verb smug

is to make smug, or spruce.

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

    * *

    Anagrams

    * *

    arrogant

    English

    (arrogance)

    Alternative forms

    * arrogaunt (obsolete)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Having excessive pride in oneself, often with contempt for others.
  • *
  • *

    • Usage notes

    * Said of people, statements, etc.

    Synonyms

    * conceited * condescending * disdainful * haughty * high-handed * narcissistic * overbearing * presumptuous * supercilious * proud * vain * See also

    Antonyms

    * humble * modest

    Derived terms

    * arrogantly

    Related terms

    * arrogance * arrogancy * arrogate * arrogation * arrogantness

    External links

    * * *

    Anagrams

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