smarm

noun

Definition of smarmnext
as in ingratiation

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

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.
Recent Examples of smarm Man’s Best Friend’s dewy charm/smarm offensive also seems purposely set to so much country music, a field shaped by its key artists’ and core audience’s Christian family values. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 As an aspiring New York City comic recently separated from his wife, Arnett is earnest, slightly lost and — for perhaps the first time ever onscreen — entirely smarm-less. — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Dec. 2025 Among the most attention-getting of the pickups (speaking of Carell) was Peacock and The Office creators trotting out their new show, a mockumentary shot at a mid-city newspaper, complete with the return of Oscar Martinez and his smarm. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 To no one’s surprise, Bonnie is immediately transfixed by her Lilypad (voiced by Greta Lee, whose arrogant smarm effectively threads the needle between Maya Hawke’s Anxiety and Regina George’s everything else). — David Ehrlich, IndieWire, 16 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for smarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarm
  1. ingratiation
  2. sycophancy
  3. fawning
  4. praise
Noun
  • As was the case with the white-and-green dress for her Pakistan tour, Elizabeth, in her fashion choices, sought not only to avoid giving offense but to offer symbolic ingratiation, and among the most fascinating garments on display are those representing diplomatic dressing.
    — Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 17 Apr. 2026
  • Each chapter discusses a specific sales element, which includes such topics as goal setting, prospecting, ingratiation and listening tactics, empathy and much more.
    — Larry D. Urish, Oc Register, 30 Jan. 2026
Definition of ingratiation
Noun
  • One of the main culprits is the models’ propensity for sycophancy.
    — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 18 June 2026
  • Layering advertising incentives on top of sycophancy produces a system primed to flatter users.
    — William J. Brady, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2026
Definition of sycophancy
Noun
  • The fawning didn’t get him very far.
    — Michael Schuman, The Atlantic, 15 May 2026
  • According to Gaiani, drinking or using drugs before social situations is a major sign that your teen may be using alcohol to cope with fawning and to feel more comfortable or confident.
    — Sarah Scott, Parents, 25 Aug. 2025
Definition of fawning
Noun
  • His celebratory words marking its 250th anniversary included not only the traditional paeans to the Founders but also a dose of personal grievance, plus soaring praise for his own achievements.
    — Susan Page, USA Today, 5 July 2026
  • This comes as the ex-Apprentice host on July 3 tossed some praise Clinton’s way in a book reading event with Second Lady Usha Vance on the latter’s podcast.
    — Dominic Patten, Deadline, 4 July 2026
Definition of praise

Browse Nearby Words

small-timers
smarm
smart
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarm. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gambol

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
hangman letters and game
Hangman Lightning Round Figure out which word fits in the blanks.
See All