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Smug vs Brag - What's the difference?

smug | brag |

In obsolete terms the difference between smug and brag

is that smug is studiously neat or nice, especially in dress; spruce; affectedly precise; smooth and prim while brag is proudly; boastfully.

As adjectives the difference between smug and brag

is that smug is irritatingly pleased with oneself; self-satisfied while brag is first-rate.

As verbs the difference between smug and brag

is that smug is to make smug, or spruce while brag is to boast; to talk with excessive pride about what one has, can do, or has done.

As a noun brag is

a boast or boasting; bragging; ostentatious pretence or self-glorification.

As an adverb brag is

proudly; boastfully.

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)

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    brag

    English

    Verb

  • To boast; to talk with excessive pride about what one has, can do, or has done.
    • to brag of one's exploits, courage, or money
  • * Shakespeare
    • Conceit, more rich in matter than in words, / Brags of his substance, not of ornament.
  • To boast of.
  • *Shakespeare
    • Nor shall Death brag thou wander'st in his shade

    Synonyms

    * boast

    Derived terms

    * braggart * bragging rights * humblebrag

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A boast or boasting; bragging; ostentatious pretence or self-glorification.
  • * Shakespeare
    • Caesar made not here his brag / Of "came", and "saw", and "overcame".
  • The thing which is boasted of.
  • * Milton
    • Beauty is Nature's brag .
  • (by ellipsis) The card game three card brag.
    • (Chesterfield)

    Adjective

    (bragger)
  • First-rate.
  • (archaic) Brisk; full of spirits; boasting; pretentious; conceited.
  • * Ben Jonson
    • a brag young fellow

    Adverb

    (en adverb)
  • (obsolete) proudly; boastfully
    • (Fuller)

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