SMART-ASSED Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

smart-assed

adjective

as in cute

making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred smart-assed collegians making jokes at the expense of devout churchgoers

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smart-assed

Adjective

Instead of black tights, try cute little socks or colorful tights.

— Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 3 Oct. 2026
Solid prewar with 850 square feet of space, a windowed kitchen that’s renovated and kind of cute, a windowed bathroom with a good tub.

— Nora Deligter, Curbed, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of cute

Adjective

But there is a saying in the military that leadership sets the tone, and when the most senior leaders are flippant at best, and cruel at worst, many will understand that to be the permissible standard.

— Andrea N. Goldstein, The Atlantic, 28 Aug. 2026
Kyles suggested, recalling her immediate response to the president’s seemingly flippant remark.

— Chris Quintana, USA Today, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of flippant

Adjective

Johnson, who previously hosted SNL in 2015 and again in 2020, appears in a playful new promo with the five-piece Baltimore hardcore band and comedian Ben Marshall.

— Lars Brandle, Billboard, 2 Oct. 2026
Major brands including BaubleBar and Crocs are putting their own spin on football fandom with playful collaborations and unexpected finds.

— Casey DelBasso, ABC News, 2 Oct. 2026

Definition of playful

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Browse Nearby Words

smart-ass

smart-assed

smarted

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

Style

“Smart-assed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smart-assed. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Synonyms of smart-assed

adjective

Example Sentences

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

inscrutable

Popular in Grammar & Usage

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Popular in Wordplay

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

Popular

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Games & Quizzes