as in grimaced
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.
Related Words
Relevance
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 smirked
Unbothered, Louis smirked at his sister and continued to boogie to the beat.
—
Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 11 June 2026
Stankiewicz, 61, smirked at the fitting metaphor after the Trojans clinched their first NCAA super regional berth in 21 years.
—Jose De Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
One smirked while the others stared me down.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Corey observed the Amazon representatives smirked when residents spoke.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
When told that Hyland modeled his game after the famed streetballer Hot Sauce from the And-1 Mixtape Tour, Finch smirked.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
With this, Friedmann smirked at Hall and gave a quick wave of the hand.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Desler smirked and gave him a small nod, which Goth returned.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025
While his competitors smirked at the notion of a jukebox mobile, Jobs drove Apple to create the iPhone.
—Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025
Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 11 June 2026
Stankiewicz, 61, smirked at the fitting metaphor after the Trojans clinched their first NCAA super regional berth in 21 years.
—Jose De Jesus Ortiz, Los Angeles Times, 4 June 2026
One smirked while the others stared me down.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
Corey observed the Amazon representatives smirked when residents spoke.
—Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
When told that Hyland modeled his game after the famed streetballer Hot Sauce from the And-1 Mixtape Tour, Finch smirked.
—Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026
With this, Friedmann smirked at Hall and gave a quick wave of the hand.
—James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
Desler smirked and gave him a small nod, which Goth returned.
—Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025
While his competitors smirked at the notion of a jukebox mobile, Jobs drove Apple to create the iPhone.
—Big Think, 3 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirked
Verb
-
In the fifth inning, Pasquantino grimaced in pain after a swing at the plate.—
Jaylon Thompson,
Kansas City Star,
14 June 2026
-
The Avs’ star defender quickly grimaced, dropped his stick and appeared to grab his right shoulder in agony.—
Sean Keeler,
Denver Post,
14 May 2026
Verb
-
Pino stared down Adams after cross-examination — and Adams stared back at him.—
Grethel Aguila,
Miami Herald,
17 June 2026
-
Dick gave a whinny and stared at the water.—
Dolores Brown,
Outdoor Life,
17 June 2026
Verb
-
Those that attended mostly sat and scowled.—
Aidan McLaughlin,
Vanity Fair,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Another line of attack likens the show to when bachelorette parties invade gay bars — a practice frequently scowled upon by gay patrons.—
Seth Abramovitch,
HollywoodReporter,
22 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In a pre-AI world, companies would’ve frowned upon allowing clients to bypass the online front door to their services.—
Hugh Son,
CNBC,
3 June 2026
-
On Saturday, Hill defended Carter after former Giants kicker Lawrence Tynes explained why publicly targeting a teammate is frowned upon inside an NFL locker room.—
Bobby Burack OutKick,
FOXNews.com,
24 May 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smirked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirked. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
