Definition

Adverb: - In a smug manner: Showing excessive pride or self-satisfaction in oneself, one's achievements, or one's perceived superiority, often in a way that is irritating to others.

Usage

The adverb "smugly" is used to describe how an action is performed with an air of self-satisfied superiority. It modifies verbs to indicate the manner of speaking, looking, or behaving.

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "to say/state/declare smugly": To make a statement with an irritating tone of certainty and self-congratulation.
  • "I told you so," he said smugly.
• "to sit/stand/lean back smugly": To adopt a physical posture that conveys complacent satisfaction.
  • He leaned back in his chair smugly, confident in his plan.

Variants and Related Words

• Smug (adjective): Having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements.
  • He had a smug expression on his face.
• Smugness (noun): The quality or state of being smug.
  • Her smugness was evident in her tone.

Synonyms

• Complacently: In a pleased or self-satisfied way, often unaware of potential problems.
• Self-righteously: With a conviction of one's own moral superiority.
• Condescendingly: In a manner that shows a feeling of patronizing superiority.

Antonyms

• Humbly: In a modest or lowly manner.
• Diffidently: In a modest or shy way resulting from a lack of self-confidence.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• To grin/smile smugly: A common collocation describing the facial expression associated with smugness.
  • He couldn't help but grin smugly at his clever remark.
• With a smug air: Behaving in a way that exudes smugness.
  • She delivered the news with a smug air.

Adverb

1. in a smug manner
   • the bureaucrats explained smugly that the facts provided by their own experts show no cause for concern