
Smug
Negative Nuance
Smug often implies a negative judgment about someone's self-satisfaction.
His smug attitude after the promotion didn't win him any friends.
Non-Verbal Cues
Smugness is frequently conveyed through non-verbal expressions, such as a smirk.
A smug grin spread across his face as he revealed the secret.
Often Pejorative
'Smug' usually describes someone's annoying level of self-satisfaction and is rarely a compliment.
She gave a smug reply to their concerns, not realizing she was being insensitive.