What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
smugly
Example
He looked at his opponent smugly, confident that he would win. [smugly: adverb]
Example
She spoke smugly about her accomplishments, making others feel inferior. [smugly: adverb]
proudly
Example
She proudly displayed her artwork on the wall. [proudly: adverb]
Example
He stood proudly on the podium, having won the race. [proudly: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Proudly is more commonly used than smugly in everyday language. Proudly is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while smugly is less common and has a negative connotation.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between smugly and proudly?
While smugly is typically associated with a negative and informal tone, proudly is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.
