simper

verb

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sim·per | \ ˈsim-pər

simpered; simpering\ ˈsim-p(ə-)riŋ

\; simpers

Definition of simper

(Entry 1 of 2)

intransitive verb

: to smile in a silly, affected, or ingratiating manner Through force of will, she escaped the narrowness of Victorian daughterhood, the polite world of needlework and simpering over teacups that had always bored her.— Matthew Dennison … in September, … Pee-wee made a surprise appearance to open the MTV Video Music Awards in Los Angeles. Wide-eyed and simpering, this target of a thousand barbs asked innocently, "Heard any good jokes lately?" The audience roared—and rose to its feet, cheering. — People Weekly Or did he really mean that she should simper sweetly to get her way or, alternatively, give in gracefully to whatever the men in cabinet wanted—and then face the inevitable criticism that she was ineffectual and proof that women couldn't lead?— Janine Haines

transitive verb

: to say with a simper simpered an apology

simper

noun

plural simpers

Definition of simper (Entry 2 of 2)

: a silly, affected, or ingratiating smile "I'm sure I must have misunderstood you, Professor Dumbledore," she said with a simper that left her big, round eyes as cold as ever.— J. K. Rowling Both stars are superb; adorable yet dangerous, these heroines for our times learn to handle things with a resounding bang, not a girlish simper.— Eleanor Ringel

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Examples of simper in a Sentence

Verb He simpered and smirked while he talked to the boss. She simpered that she had gone to all this trouble for a reason.

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb Judging by his simpering public appearances with Putin -- including one where Trump dissed his own US intelligence agencies -- these calls would be fascinating. — Stephen Collinson, CNN, "Putin must be 'tired of winning' -- Meanwhile in America," 16 Oct. 2019 In recent seasons, Philip has retreated from the world of derring-do, embracing instead a simpering self-help doctrine emblematic of the era, while Elizabeth has turned into an ever more remorseless assassin. — Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, "Sex, Spies, and Clunky Computers on “The Americans”," 7 Mar. 2017 Lastly, Colman does beleaguered, long-suffering wife like a champ, turning what could be simpering roles into simmering ones. — Vogue, "Why Olivia Colman Is The Crown’s Perfect New Queen," 29 Oct. 2017 This story of bumbling boors, chiseling social climbers, and simpering fops gallivanting and scheming around the London countryside is crisply performed by a uniformly excellent cast. — Steve Heisler, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Do This ‘Amy Krouse Rosenthal: A Beauty Salon’ at Carrie Secrist Gallery, Kyle Mooney at Thalia Hall, and more things to do this week in Chicago," 10 July 2017 This story of bumbling boors, chiseling social climbers, and simpering fops gallivanting and scheming around the London countryside is crisply performed by a uniformly excellent cast. — Steve Heisler, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Do This ‘Amy Krouse Rosenthal: A Beauty Salon’ at Carrie Secrist Gallery, Kyle Mooney at Thalia Hall, and more things to do this week in Chicago," 10 July 2017 This story of bumbling boors, chiseling social climbers, and simpering fops gallivanting and scheming around the London countryside is crisply performed by a uniformly excellent cast. — Steve Heisler, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Do This ‘Amy Krouse Rosenthal: A Beauty Salon’ at Carrie Secrist Gallery, Kyle Mooney at Thalia Hall, and more things to do this week in Chicago," 10 July 2017 This story of bumbling boors, chiseling social climbers, and simpering fops gallivanting and scheming around the London countryside is crisply performed by a uniformly excellent cast. — Steve Heisler, Chicago Reader, "Arts / Do This ‘Amy Krouse Rosenthal: A Beauty Salon’ at Carrie Secrist Gallery, Kyle Mooney at Thalia Hall, and more things to do this week in Chicago," 10 July 2017 This story of bumbling boors, chiseling social climbers, and simpering fops gallivanting and scheming around the London countryside is crisply performed by a uniformly excellent cast. — Chicago Reader, "Bette Davis Ain’t for Sissies," 22 June 2017 Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Today’s announcement marks the emergence of a new GE, a high-tech industrial GE — simper, stronger, a more focused company at the core. — Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, "GE to shrink again with cuts," 26 June 2018 Al Capone lived as a schoolyard bully, died in a simper with a brain et by syphilis, and lives on through eternity as a cigarillo mascot and gimme film role for dark-haired white actors who want a chance to really chew some scenery. — Paul Dailing, Chicago Reader, "Why does Chicago continue to embrace Al Capone?," 21 Dec. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'simper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.