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Smug vs Stubborn - What's the difference?

smug | stubborn |

As adjectives the difference between smug and stubborn

is that smug is irritatingly pleased with oneself; self-satisfied while stubborn is refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting.

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)

    Anagrams

    * *

    stubborn

    English

    Adjective

    (er)
  • Refusing to move or to change one's opinion; obstinate; firmly resisting.
  • He is pretty stubborn about his political beliefs, so why bother arguing?
    Blood can make a very stubborn stain on fabrics if not washed properly.

    Synonyms

    * See also

    Derived terms

    * stubbornly * stubbornness