smirk

verb

ˈsmərk 

smirked; smirking; smirks

1

intransitive : to smile in a smug or condescending 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

2

transitive : to say or express (something) with a smirk

"No problem," he smirked when I apologized for my wimpiness.

—Michael Behar

smirk noun

plural smirks

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

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

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

Example Sentences

She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.

Recent Examples on the Web

Your partner will totally smirk at this reminder of their favorite beverage. —Brittney Morgan, House Beautiful, 15 Nov. 2022

The irony is thick — considering Moore once catapulted himself to fame by capitalizing on images of unwilling people — and easy to smirk at. —Angie Han, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 July 2022

Josh Hader appears to smirk in disbelief himself after Hernández rung him up. —Chris Bumbaca, USA TODAY, 25 Apr. 2022

In the shot, Culkin and Cameron sit next to each other and cheekily smirk at the camera. —Joelle Goldstein, PEOPLE.com, 11 Mar. 2022

Even in a sample group of three, however, hands on hips, smirk on lips, West stands apart. —Jessica Kiang, Variety, 10 Feb. 2022

Whereas Koepka seems to smirk at the innate silliness of the rivalry, DeChambeau seems to take it seriously. —John Guaspari, National Review, 26 Sep. 2021

With those small, platinum-blonde strands in the front and that slight smirk on her face, Hough almost looks like her twin. —Allure, 1 July 2021

Her skin was a cocoa shade, and her luscious, dark curls framed the light smirk on her face. —Hayley Folk, refinery29.com, 20 June 2021

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Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1824, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

smirk

verb

ˈsmərk 

: to smile in an insincere or smug manner

smirk noun