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
Chad Graff, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Bush, who famously joked about the weirdness of Trump’s first inaugural address, was smirking.
—Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for smirk
Verb
Standing next to the stage five years later, Vrabel smirked.
—Chad Graff, The Athletic, 22 Jan. 2025
Bush, who famously joked about the weirdness of Trump’s first inaugural address, was smirking.
—Steve Peoples, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2025
Noun
As if to commemorate the moment, Melania released her official White House portrait on Monday, standing at the end of a table, hands braced on its surface, a knowing smirk on her face, staring straight into the camera.
—Dan Alexander, Forbes, 1 Feb. 2025
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
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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In the sweet snap, Tove can be seen nestled between Collins and McDowell, staring up at her dad.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
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With the Senators not back in action until Wednesday, fans will stare feverishly at the wild-card standings.—
Julian McKenzie,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
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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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Does slapping Pattinson’s scowling face on the phenomenon lead us to see it any differently?—
Peter Debruge,
Variety,
15 Feb. 2025
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In a moment that went viral, Ferrell, 57, dressed up as his lovable, innocent character from the 2003 holiday classic Elf — and watched the Los Angeles Kings play the Philadelphia Flyers while scowling, drinking beer and holding a cigarette.—
Escher Walcott,
People.com,
30 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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Uruguay is a place that shuns extremes — where abrasive politics is frowned upon.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
25 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.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirk. Accessed 4 Mar. 2025.
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