smugness

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The smugness, arrogance and hubris in this city is so thick you could cut it with a knife.

From MarketWatch • May 15, 2026

It also explains his slight smugness when informing the media that, after stating they were no good at all, their current league performances suggest the critics were wrong.

From BBC • Jan. 29, 2025

“Looking back on it, my smugness was disgusting. I can’t imagine he read it & if he did, I’m sure he didn’t care but still, I wish I had found a way to apologize.”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 29, 2024

To judge by his body of work, he’s not particularly smart, or funny, or insightful; he evinces the milky smugness of the bully’s dumb henchman in some lame 1980s slobs-vs.-snobs comedy.

From Slate • Jun. 30, 2023

It surprised her how quickly, during reunions with old friends, the subject of marriage came up, a waspish tone in the voices of the unmarried, a smugness in those of the married.

From "Americanah" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie