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
Dana GoodyearAs 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
Doug BrodAnd 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
Jennifer Saba
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
J. K. RowlingCluny lay back and smirked. Everything was going according to plan.—Brian Jacques
Brian JacquesSome Americans from "old" families likewise smirked behind their napkins at the arriviste's fancy new silver-plate fish set …—Douglas Brenner
Douglas Brenner… they're smirking about the very idea of political seriousness.—Kurt Andersen
Kurt Andersen"Yeah, sure, Ma," I'd say, smirking and rolling my eyes at my husband.—Anna Marie Dell'oso
Anna Marie Dell'oso2
transitive
: to say or express (something) with a smirk
"No problem," he smirked when I apologized for my wimpiness.—Michael Behar
Michael Behar
Examples of smirk in a Sentence
Verb
She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.
Recent Examples on the WebKathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Nov. 2023
Piercing through the camera lens are his pensive, chocolate brown eyes and seductive smirk.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2023
Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Last week, after helping foment the eight-person coup that ended Kevin McCarthy’s 269-day reign as speaker of the United States House of Representatives Matt Gaetz’s signature smirk was everywhere.
—Matt Laslo, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Suddenly, the lights went out and we were left with the image of his haunting smirk.
—Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
At Bowser’s Castle, the mischievous Bowser Jr. reminded me of my youngest kid, whose clever smirk is often the precursor to some shenanigans.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2023
As Lina, Kylie Young is the fire in the play, hilariously inhabiting her character’s strong New York accent, knowing smirk, two-tone orange and platinum braids, acrylic nails and giant hoop earrings.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2023
The jukebox musical is a popular genre, but the unusually large number of tunes mined here (some 70 songs, according to the musical’s website) and the brevity of certain excerpts don’t draw us into the characters’ world and hearts as much as invite us to smirk in recognition.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023
In the picture, the actress is standing up on a boat holding her hand against her forehead and giving the camera a smirk.
—Tracey Harrington McCoy, Peoplemag, 21 June 2023
Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
Shiny pop stars on promotional posters displayed various jars and bottles while smirking down at the customers, all of whom had comparably clear, plump, dewy skin.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 12 Oct. 2023
In one image, Colin can be seen smirking at a giddy Penelope, as the duo is captured glaring lovingly into each other's eyes in another shot.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 17 June 2023
Hill briefly glanced in his direction before turning away and smirking.
—Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2023
Barrymore begins with a smirking grin at her camera, before her expression devolves into one of seriousness and then close to tears.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2023
Even after a deflating loss to archrival Columbus Crew on Sunday, Brandon Vazquez smirked with anticipation when prompted about Wednesday's game.
—The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2023
In a snapshot shared on Instagram, the duo sat next to each other and cheekily smirked at the camera.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2023
Here’s a look at how some notable politicians handled their own mug shots: A smirk and a soft-serve cone Clad in a snappy dark suit, white shirt and blue tie, Perry removed his then-signature black glasses — as mandated by county rules — and offered a smirking half smile in his 2014 mug shot.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2023
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Noun
For finishing touches, the Academy Award winner added a bangle bracelet, a slouchy black bag, black Jimmy Choos, and a knowing smirk.
—Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 9 Nov. 2023
Piercing through the camera lens are his pensive, chocolate brown eyes and seductive smirk.
—Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Oct. 2023
Photograph: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Last week, after helping foment the eight-person coup that ended Kevin McCarthy’s 269-day reign as speaker of the United States House of Representatives Matt Gaetz’s signature smirk was everywhere.
—Matt Laslo, WIRED, 13 Oct. 2023
Suddenly, the lights went out and we were left with the image of his haunting smirk.
—Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
At Bowser’s Castle, the mischievous Bowser Jr. reminded me of my youngest kid, whose clever smirk is often the precursor to some shenanigans.
—Ken Makin, The Christian Science Monitor, 1 Sep. 2023
As Lina, Kylie Young is the fire in the play, hilariously inhabiting her character’s strong New York accent, knowing smirk, two-tone orange and platinum braids, acrylic nails and giant hoop earrings.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 19 Aug. 2023
The jukebox musical is a popular genre, but the unusually large number of tunes mined here (some 70 songs, according to the musical’s website) and the brevity of certain excerpts don’t draw us into the characters’ world and hearts as much as invite us to smirk in recognition.
—Celia Wren, Washington Post, 17 Aug. 2023
In the picture, the actress is standing up on a boat holding her hand against her forehead and giving the camera a smirk.
—Tracey Harrington McCoy, Peoplemag, 21 June 2023
Verb
This is the smirking milieu from which deepfakes emerged.
—Daniel Immerwahr, The New Yorker, 13 Nov. 2023
Shiny pop stars on promotional posters displayed various jars and bottles while smirking down at the customers, all of whom had comparably clear, plump, dewy skin.
—Nicola Dall'asen, Allure, 12 Oct. 2023
In one image, Colin can be seen smirking at a giddy Penelope, as the duo is captured glaring lovingly into each other's eyes in another shot.
—Dana Rose Falcone, Peoplemag, 17 June 2023
Hill briefly glanced in his direction before turning away and smirking.
—Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2023
Barrymore begins with a smirking grin at her camera, before her expression devolves into one of seriousness and then close to tears.
—Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 18 Sep. 2023
Even after a deflating loss to archrival Columbus Crew on Sunday, Brandon Vazquez smirked with anticipation when prompted about Wednesday's game.
—The Enquirer, 22 Aug. 2023
In a snapshot shared on Instagram, the duo sat next to each other and cheekily smirked at the camera.
—Stephanie Wenger, Peoplemag, 17 Apr. 2023
Here’s a look at how some notable politicians handled their own mug shots: A smirk and a soft-serve cone Clad in a snappy dark suit, white shirt and blue tie, Perry removed his then-signature black glasses — as mandated by county rules — and offered a smirking half smile in his 2014 mug shot.
—Will Weissert, Chicago Tribune, 31 Mar. 2023
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smirk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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
Phrases Containing smirk
Dictionary Entries Near smirk
Cite this Entry
“Smirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smirk. Accessed 2 Dec. 2023.
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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for smirk
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Britannica English: Translation of smirk for Arabic Speakers
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