as in ingratiation
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Recent Examples of smarm
Man’s Best Friend’s dewy charm/smarm offensive also seems purposely set to so much country music, a field shaped by its key artists’ and core audience’s Christian family values.
—
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Among the most attention-getting of the pickups (speaking of Carell) was Peacock and The Office creators trotting out their new show, a mockumentary shot at a mid-city newspaper, complete with the return of Oscar Martinez and his smarm.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
There is a ripe contrast between the smarm of Springhorn Jr.’s Theo and the squeak of Pinto’s Cohen.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for smarm
Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025
Among the most attention-getting of the pickups (speaking of Carell) was Peacock and The Office creators trotting out their new show, a mockumentary shot at a mid-city newspaper, complete with the return of Oscar Martinez and his smarm.
—Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025
There is a ripe contrast between the smarm of Springhorn Jr.’s Theo and the squeak of Pinto’s Cohen.
—David John Chávez, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024
See All Example Sentences for smarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarm
Noun
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As was the case with the white-and-green dress for her Pakistan tour, Elizabeth, in her fashion choices, sought not only to avoid giving offense but to offer symbolic ingratiation, and among the most fascinating garments on display are those representing diplomatic dressing.—
Rebecca Mead,
New Yorker,
17 Apr. 2026
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Each chapter discusses a specific sales element, which includes such topics as goal setting, prospecting, ingratiation and listening tactics, empathy and much more.—
Larry D. Urish,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The suit also criticizes ChatGPT’s propensity to agree with users, arguing that the service’s sycophancy can lead users to develop dangerous psychological attachment to the platform and cause users to pay money to unlock more generous usage quotas.—
Jared Perlo,
NBC news,
1 June 2026
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For my strident recommendations on how to combat AI sycophancy and not fall into its tight psychological grip, see the link here.—
Lance Eliot,
Forbes.com,
30 May 2026
Noun
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The fawning didn’t get him very far.—
Michael Schuman,
The Atlantic,
15 May 2026
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According to Gaiani, drinking or using drugs before social situations is a major sign that your teen may be using alcohol to cope with fawning and to feel more comfortable or confident.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Mullin won early praise for speeding up FEMA relief payments to states, which Noem had slowed by requiring her personal sign-off on expenditures exceeding $100,000.—
Daniel C. Vock,
Chicago Tribune,
14 June 2026
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And that surprise breakout drew frank praise from a key Mets executive whose own team has struggled to find the same level of consistency.—
Peter Chawaga,
Forbes.com,
14 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarm. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.
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