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Smugness vs Complacence - What's the difference?

smugness | complacence |

As nouns the difference between smugness and complacence

is that smugness is (uncountable) the state or quality of being smug while complacence is (archaic) being complacent; a feeling of contentment or satisfaction; complacency.

smugness

English

Noun

  • (uncountable) The state or quality of being smug.
  • (countable) The result or product of being smug.

    • complacence

    English

    Noun

    (-)
  • (archaic) Being complacent; a feeling of contentment or satisfaction; complacency.
  • * Atterbury
    • The inward complacence we find in acting reasonably and virtuously.
  • (obsolete) Pleasure, delight.
  • * Milton
    • O thou, my sole complacence .
  • (obsolete) Complaisance; a willingness to comply with others' wishes.
  • * 1749 , Henry Fielding, Tom Jones , Folio Society 1973, pp. 33-4:
    • He told his sister, if she pleased, the new-born infant should be bred up together with little Tommy; to which she consented, though with some little reluctance: for she had truly a great complacence for her brother [...].

    Synonyms

    * self-complacency * self-satisfaction