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Smug vs Poised - What's the difference?

smug | poised |

As adjectives the difference between smug and poised

is that smug is irritatingly pleased with oneself; self-satisfied while poised is possessing poise, having self-confidence.

As verbs the difference between smug and poised

is that smug is (obsolete|transitive) to make smug, or spruce while poised is (poise).

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

    * *

    poised

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Possessing poise, having self-confidence.
  • Ready, prepared.
  • :He stood there, poised to act, and then suddenly he drew his gun in a smooth arc.
  • *{{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=September 29 , author=Tom Rostance , title=Stoke 2 - 1 Besiktas , work=BBC Sport citation , page= , passage=A free-kick from Matthew Etherington caused more confusion on the stroke of half-time but Mehmet Aurelio was able to hook the ball clear with Cameron Jerome poised to strike.}}

    Verb

    (head)
  • (poise)