smugly

/ˈsmʌɡli/ (bre, ipa) · [smˈʌɡli] /ˈsmʌɡli/ (ame, ipa)

smugly — adverb

1. with an annoying air of being very pleased with yourself and sure you have done

1.副詞B2
釋義

with an annoying air of being very pleased with yourself and sure you have done better than other people.

例句

Arjun smiled smugly after solving the puzzle with his shortcut.

smile + smugly after proving yourself right

Nala smugly reminded the team that she had warned them yesterday.

smugly + remind after being proved correct

同義詞
  • self-satisfiedly

    very close in meaning, but more formal and more common in writing than speech

  • arrogantly

    stronger; stresses looking down on other people, not just enjoying your own success

  • triumphantly

    often sounds joyful after a win and does not always imply an irritating attitude

反義詞
  • modestly

    describes success without showing off or drawing attention to yourself

  • humbly

    emphasizes a lack of superiority or self-importance

文法句型

smile/reply + smugly

smugly + remind/point

用法筆記

Often appears with verbs of speaking, smiling, or pointing something out after someone has been proved right. Use 'proudly' instead when the success feels deserved and does not suggest an irritating attitude.

常見錯誤

❌The graduates walked smugly onto the stage.
✅The graduates walked proudly onto the stage.
💡use 'proudly' for a happy, deserved achievement; 'smugly' suggests an annoying sense of superiority.