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Showing results for self-satisfied. Search instead for never-satisfied.
Synonyms

self-satisfied

American  
[self-sat-is-fahyd, self-] / ˈsɛlfˈsæt ɪsˌfaɪd, ˌsɛlf- /

adjective

  1. feeling or showing satisfaction with oneself.

    Synonyms:
    puffed-up, vain, smug, complacent

self-satisfied British  

adjective

  1. having or showing a complacent satisfaction with oneself, one's own actions, behaviour, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of self-satisfied

First recorded in 1725–35

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.

See Examples For:

Though scrupulously executed, they often look self-satisfied and rhetorical.

From The Wall Street Journal May 1, 2026

Several of the figures rest a self-satisfied hand at the apex of their bump.

From Slate Jul. 21, 2025

I see an accomplished power player in midlife at the peak of a highly successful TV writing career, self-satisfied and oozing with agency.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 21, 2024

And yes, it's hard not to look at these self-satisfied moral monsters without feeling despair.

From Salon May 18, 2024

“For going around twice,” Colonel Korn answered with a reflective, self-satisfied smile.

From "Catch-22" by Joseph Heller

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