as in to grimace
to smile in an unpleasant way because you are pleased with yourself, glad about someone else's trouble, etc.
She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smirk
Omar Garrick, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
Asked to rate his dunk 1-10 postgame, Flagg could only smirk, his muted reaction not dissimilar to his post-jam staredown.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2024
Dwight's revenge: A messy hairstyle, a few goofy smirks, and some unabashed flirting with Karen Filippelli (Rashida Jones) — in other words, an equally hilarious impersonation of Jim.
—Gretchen Hansen, EW.com, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smirk 
Verb
Takes him out, shows zero concern, then smirks and winks as a clueless referee gives him a warning.
—Omar Garrick, The Athletic, 27 Aug. 2024
Asked to rate his dunk 1-10 postgame, Flagg could only smirk, his muted reaction not dissimilar to his post-jam staredown.
—Brendan Marks, The Athletic, 8 Jan. 2025
Noun
The wild-eyed soldier from Arrakis can barely contain his smirk.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 15 Dec. 2024
Dwight's revenge: A messy hairstyle, a few goofy smirks, and some unabashed flirting with Karen Filippelli (Rashida Jones) — in other words, an equally hilarious impersonation of Jim.
—Gretchen Hansen, EW.com, 18 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smirk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirk
Noun
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Shows like this often get labeled as comfort food, which is sometimes delivered with a sneer.—
Brian Grubb,
Vulture,
31 Jan. 2025
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Ruby’s face hardened, her lips twisting into a sneer.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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Her post also included an emoji of a pride flag, a broken heart, and a picture of the singer staring blankly at the camera.—
Heather Hunter,
Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government,
29 Jan. 2025
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Harley loves to look out the window or stare at bird videos on his iPad.—
Trish Stinger,
Kansas City Star,
29 Jan. 2025
Noun
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League sources stifle their snickers in public while privately marveling at the owner’s ceaseless stupidity. 3.—
Jeff Howe,
The Athletic,
24 Jan. 2025
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So he must be placed in the Apparition section, next to ghosts like John Barron, sharing a snicker with Ivana.—
Greg Marotta,
New York Daily News,
12 Jan. 2025
Verb
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In walks Plaza and Shannon, scowling at random members of the Salty Club — who return the favor with an eye roll.—
Rachel Raposas,
People.com,
7 Feb. 2025
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But Herb just scowled and finally threw the galley down on his desk.—
Howie Carr,
Boston Herald,
25 Jan. 2025
Noun
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The tribal leader sniggers; a trade with foreign infidels is inconceivable.—
Bing West,
Foreign Affairs,
1 Sep. 2011
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This offbeat comedy, which originally ran from 2007-10, thrives on less explicit social tensions: sniggers behind the back and raised eyebrows at the dinner table.—
The Economist,
The Economist,
26 Dec. 2019
Verb
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Her mom, who had grown up with financial difficulties and was tighter with money, frowned.—
Betty Lin-Fisher,
USA TODAY,
27 Jan. 2025
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Bishop Briggs Paints the 'Wednesday' Float Black 9 hr 16 min ago Wednesday Addams signature frown was a new addition to the Macy’s parade on Nov. 28.—
Lindsay Kimble,
People.com,
28 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near smirk
Cite this Entry
“Smirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirk. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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