smirk

1 of 2

noun

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
As 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
And 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

smirk

2 of 2

verb

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
Cluny lay back and smirked. Everything was going according to plan.Brian Jacques
Some Americans from "old" families likewise smirked behind their napkins at the arriviste's fancy new silver-plate fish set …Douglas Brenner
… they're smirking about the very idea of political seriousness.Kurt Andersen
"Yeah, sure, Ma," I'd say, smirking and rolling my eyes at my husband.Anna Marie Dell'oso
2
transitive : to say or express (something) with a smirk
"No problem," he smirked when I apologized for my wimpiness.Michael Behar

Examples of smirk in a Sentence

Verb She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
And so the two men, wielding their mockery, make a show of each chortle and smirk. Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 23 Oct. 2024 Fans on livestreams relentlessly commented on her smirk. Bryan West, USA TODAY, 21 Oct. 2024
Verb
Sitting in the back of the school bus, Ricci smirked at the camera in one photo, wearing big sunglasses. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 29 Oct. 2024 The series treats her like Heather Chandler or Regina George, a smirking bully whose cruelty toward Penelope is practically reflexive but whose intelligence can’t compete with our favorite scribe. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 18 June 2024 See all Example Sentences for smirk 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

derivative of smirk entry 2

Verb

Middle English, from Old English smearcian to smile; akin to Old English smerian to laugh

First Known Use

Noun

circa 1570, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of smirk was circa 1570

Dictionary Entries Near smirk

Cite this Entry

“Smirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smirk. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

smirk

verb
: to smile in an insincere or smug manner
smirk noun

More from Merriam-Webster on smirk

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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