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
Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, Biden's subtle smirk added a layer of quiet disagreement.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
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
At the end of the clip, Kardashian finally stumbles upon Santa, and the camera turns around to reveal Culkin dressed as St. Nick, holding an old VHS camera and offering an unsettling smirk.
—Ellise Shafer, Variety, 23 Dec. 2024
Meanwhile, Biden's subtle smirk added a layer of quiet disagreement.
—Kristen Waggoner, Newsweek, 21 Jan. 2025
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
-
Ruby’s face hardened, her lips twisting into a sneer.—
Lizz Schumer,
People.com,
2 Jan. 2025
Verb
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The king stares intently into an eternal distance through composite orbs fashioned from alabaster and glass, rendered in varying degrees of clarity, transparency and opacity.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
-
After suffering a season-ending ankle injury that put him on the injured reserve for the first time in his career, seven-time First-Team All-Pro guard Zack Martin has the possibility of retirement staring him down going into 2025.—
Nick Harris,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
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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Quite a few dead U.S. presidents are perhaps frowning in the hereafter after Donald Trump continues to push for the annexation of Canada.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
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Leeper was part of the DJ crowd that attracted Black and white teens because the station played R&B and rock n’ roll, which many grown-ups frowned upon at the time.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near smirk
Cite this Entry
“Smirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirk. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
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