plural smirks
: a smile that shows a smug, condescending, or self-satisfied attitude
A former prosecutor, she deploys an interrogation style that is impatient and knowing, almost amused. The eyebrows go up, a faint smirk plays around the lips: you might as well fess up.—
Dana Goodyear
Dana GoodyearAs Frank Cross, the arrogant and abusive television network programming exec in this uproarious update of Dickens' A Christmas Carol, [Bill] Murray offers viewers everything they like about him—sarcastic smirks, disgusted eye-rolls.—Doug Brod
Doug BrodAnd while circulation is certainly declining, nearly 50 million people in the U.S. still buy a daily newspaper. So wipe that smirk off your face, Web triumphalists.—Jennifer Saba
Jennifer Saba
smirked; smirking; smirks
1
intransitive
: to smile in a smug, condescending, or self-satisfied way
"I seem to have touched a nerve," said Malfoy, smirking.—J. K. Rowling
J. K. RowlingCluny lay back and smirked. Everything was going according to plan.—Brian Jacques
Brian JacquesSome Americans from "old" families likewise smirked behind their napkins at the arriviste's fancy new silver-plate fish set …—Douglas Brenner
Douglas Brenner… they're smirking about the very idea of political seriousness.—Kurt Andersen
Kurt Andersen"Yeah, sure, Ma," I'd say, smirking and rolling my eyes at my husband.—Anna Marie Dell'oso
Anna Marie Dell'oso2
transitive
: to say or express (something) with a smirk
"No problem," he smirked when I apologized for my wimpiness.—Michael Behar
Michael BeharExamples of smirk in a Sentence
Verb
She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.
Recent Examples on the Web
Marvin Krislov, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The fifth season of Hulu’s hit dystopian series had began with the smirk seen ’round the globe that pit June Osborne (Moss) against Serena Joy Waterford (Strahovski).
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
The bit showed what the fiercely energetic and charismatic Murray could do, and, almost literally from that moment on, SNL viewers latched onto Murray's signature mix of smirking silliness and performing courage.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smirk
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Noun
These terms are often tossed around with a smirk, used to describe parents who hover over every detail of their children’s lives—ensuring every problem is fixed, every obstacle removed.
—Marvin Krislov, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
The fifth season of Hulu’s hit dystopian series had began with the smirk seen ’round the globe that pit June Osborne (Moss) against Serena Joy Waterford (Strahovski).
—Jackie Strause, The Hollywood Reporter, 12 Feb. 2025
Verb
The Europeans smirked, nodded, and spent their money on welfare.
—Dominic Green, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 21 Feb. 2025
The bit showed what the fiercely energetic and charismatic Murray could do, and, almost literally from that moment on, SNL viewers latched onto Murray's signature mix of smirking silliness and performing courage.
—Dennis Perkins, EW.com, 16 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smirk
Cite this Entry
“Smirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smirk. Accessed 3 Mar. 2025.
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