plural smirks
: a smile that shows a smug, condescending, or self-satisfied attitude
A former prosecutor, she deploys an interrogation style that is impatient and knowing, almost amused. The eyebrows go up, a faint smirk plays around the lips: you might as well fess up.—
Dana Goodyear
Dana GoodyearAs Frank Cross, the arrogant and abusive television network programming exec in this uproarious update of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, [Bill] Murray offers viewers everything they like about him—sarcastic smirks, disgusted eye-rolls.—Doug Brod
Doug BrodAnd while circulation is certainly declining, nearly 50 million people in the U.S. still buy a daily newspaper. So wipe that smirk off your face, Web triumphalists.—Jennifer Saba
Jennifer Saba
smirked; smirking; smirks
1
intransitive
: to smile in a smug, condescending, or self-satisfied way
"I seem to have touched a nerve," said Malfoy, smirking.—J. K. Rowling
J. K. RowlingCluny lay back and smirked. Everything was going according to plan.—Brian Jacques
Brian JacquesSome Americans from "old" families likewise smirked behind their napkins at the arriviste's fancy new silver-plate fish set …—Douglas Brenner
Douglas Brenner… they're smirking about the very idea of political seriousness.—Kurt Andersen
Kurt Andersen"Yeah, sure, Ma," I'd say, smirking and rolling my eyes at my husband.—Anna Marie Dell'oso
Anna Marie Dell'oso2
transitive
: to say or express (something) with a smirk
"No problem," he smirked when I apologized for my wimpiness.—Michael Behar
Michael BeharExamples of smirk in a Sentence
Verb
She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.
Recent Examples on the Web
Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Barcelona, created by a small group of rock-and-roll writers from Buenos Aires, approached news stories from Argentina and around the world with a smirk.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2026
Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Rays manager Kevin Cash also couldn’t help but smirk at the situation.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smirk
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Noun
That inspired some smirks from Boone and Tanner Swanson, the team’s director of catching.
—Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 1 Apr. 2026
Barcelona, created by a small group of rock-and-roll writers from Buenos Aires, approached news stories from Argentina and around the world with a smirk.
—Livia Gershon, JSTOR Daily, 27 Mar. 2026
Verb
Something of a Hurley whisperer, who is there to translate what the coach wants – minus the additional adjectives – for his teammates, usually sitting and smirking while Hurley riffs on the grievance of the day.
—Dana O’Neil, CNN Money, 2 Apr. 2026
Rays manager Kevin Cash also couldn’t help but smirk at the situation.
—Ryan Gaydos, FOXNews.com, 1 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smirk
Cite this Entry
“Smirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smirk. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
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