as in ingratiation
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Recent Examples of smarm
There is a ripe contrast between the smarm of Springhorn Jr.’s Theo and the squeak of Pinto’s Cohen.
—
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024
Oliver brings in Matthew Broderick, playing himself with exaggerated smarm, who effortlessly breezes through the patter song.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
That barreling is assisted mightily by the two male characters in the narrative, who take turns maximizing smarm and misogyny.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for smarm
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024
Oliver brings in Matthew Broderick, playing himself with exaggerated smarm, who effortlessly breezes through the patter song.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
That barreling is assisted mightily by the two male characters in the narrative, who take turns maximizing smarm and misogyny.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for smarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarm
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
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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
Noun
-
For my details on how to fight back against AI sycophancy, see the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
18 May 2026
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Trump’s sycophancy didn’t change Xi’s mind on Iran either.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
Noun
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The fawning didn’t get him very far.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
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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
Noun
-
The praise from the internet was nice.—
Jason Zengerle,
New Yorker,
18 May 2026
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Some policies were met with praise In some areas, business priorities did manage to win passage in the legislature this year.—
P.R. Lockhart,
Hartford Courant,
17 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarm. Accessed 22 May. 2026.
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