as in grimaces
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.
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Recent Examples of smirks
Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Glinda, with a white cardigan draped over her head, leans in to whisper something to Elphaba, who smirks.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
Through it all, Stanley smirks, Criss chuckles, and Simmons maintains his dour demeanor.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Whereas most guests on With Love, Meghan would respond to a prompt like this with doe-eyed enthusiasm, Daniel simply smirks and shakes his head.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Verb
Cruz then smirks as the officers detaining her place her on the hood of a vehicle.
—Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
Glinda, with a white cardigan draped over her head, leans in to whisper something to Elphaba, who smirks.
—People Staff, PEOPLE, 21 Nov. 2025
Through it all, Stanley smirks, Criss chuckles, and Simmons maintains his dour demeanor.
—Joseph Hudak, Rolling Stone, 16 Oct. 2025
Whereas most guests on With Love, Meghan would respond to a prompt like this with doe-eyed enthusiasm, Daniel simply smirks and shakes his head.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 29 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirks
Verb
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When Robbie first strokes the plush walls, her Cathy stares with the appropriate mix of awe and terror.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
9 Feb. 2026
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As Ji Seon stares in shock, her friends cheer in the background, chanting at her to say yes, ha.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
29 Jan. 2026
Verb
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However, there has been a growing edge to Denver’s current group, personified on the field in the way safety Talanoa Hufanga flies to the ball and in the way Cooper scowls under his eye black.—
Nick Kosmider,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
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The event also had free opportunities to take photos, get ice cream snickers and have earned a Super Bowl post card.—
Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado
Updated February 5,
Sacbee.com,
5 Feb. 2026
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While there were a few snickers, the photographers obliged and got their photos.—
Brittany Spanos,
Rolling Stone,
11 Nov. 2025
Verb
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Seward tries on one of his safari jackets, based on a 1948 British army uniform, but Stéphane frowns at the fit.—
Joelle Diderich,
Footwear News,
14 Feb. 2026
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Historically, Wall Street frowns on gift-giving between clients and bankers or Wall Street lawyers, particularly high-end gifts that could pose a conflict of interest.—
Ken Sweet,
Chicago Tribune,
13 Feb. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smirks.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirks. Accessed 16 Feb. 2026.
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