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Recent Examples of simper
Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
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, 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, 21 Dec. 2017
Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2025
Edelman brings goofy charm to Adam, a gullible and guileless father of four, while Key is consistently funny as the simpering Ken.
—Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2025
Brewer, particularly, redefines the bullying aristocrat, played in the movie as a simpering sadist, but a more robust, complicated man onstage.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
Franco is simpering when he wasn’t distracted, and while Hathaway brings a bit of spirit, most of her lines are only half-funny.
—Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Didn’t want to be a part of that simpering sorority, a keeper of that shameful secret (for so it was considered at the time), that failure.
—Alice McDermott, Harper's Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
And Grant has made something of a second career out of playing charmingly louche rogues of late, smiling and simpering to perfection as the greedy backstabbing Forge.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 31 Mar. 2023
Noun
Sandoval, in comparison, sneers and simpers to no success whatsoever; his bad behavior, on and off The Traitors, yields nothing.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
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, 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, 21 Dec. 2017
Verb
Corden’s Yvan, initially a simpering third wheel, becomes the play’s buoyant center as the evening progresses.
—Christopher Barnard, Vogue, 17 Sep. 2025
Edelman brings goofy charm to Adam, a gullible and guileless father of four, while Key is consistently funny as the simpering Ken.
—Kristen Baldwin, Entertainment Weekly, 3 Sep. 2025
Brewer, particularly, redefines the bullying aristocrat, played in the movie as a simpering sadist, but a more robust, complicated man onstage.
—Michael Barnes, Austin American Statesman, 8 July 2025
Franco is simpering when he wasn’t distracted, and while Hathaway brings a bit of spirit, most of her lines are only half-funny.
—Bill Wyman, Vulture, 28 Feb. 2025
Didn’t want to be a part of that simpering sorority, a keeper of that shameful secret (for so it was considered at the time), that failure.
—Alice McDermott, Harper's Magazine, 11 Sep. 2023
And Grant has made something of a second career out of playing charmingly louche rogues of late, smiling and simpering to perfection as the greedy backstabbing Forge.
—Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 31 Mar. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for simper
Noun
-
As referee Craig Pawson revealed his fate after being sent to the monitor by the VAR, Szoboszlai offered a wry smile, then headed for the tunnel.—
James Pearce,
New York Times,
9 Feb. 2026
-
Chief among the latter is his region’s unnamed UNO (Upazila Nirbahi Officer), a wily mid-level bureaucrat who presents herself as Jahir’s direct line to the big guns, and persistently pulls rank on him with a disarming megawatt smile.—
Guy Lodge,
Variety,
9 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
The other boys can be heard laughing in the background.—
Jane Harper,
Dallas Morning News,
7 Feb. 2026
-
After all, love is nice, but laughing with your ride-or-die friends?—
Ana Gutierrez,
Austin American Statesman,
7 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Her lips pressed in a rueful grin.—
Richard Greenberg,
Los Angeles Times,
6 Feb. 2026
-
Only this time, alongside messages wishing for wealth and health is the signature grin of the blond bully from Hogwarts school.—
Chris Lau,
CNN Money,
4 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
And Nix, often with a smirk, will return the volley.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
30 Jan. 2026
-
The bus drivers do nothing to enforce the rules, and we seniors are left trudging down the bus aisle while the people in the seats smirk, look at their phones and talk to each other.—
Judith Martin,
Mercury News,
20 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Simper.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/simper. Accessed 11 Feb. 2026.
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