as in ingratiation
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Recent Examples of smarm
At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm.
—
Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024
The movie’s entrancing and melancholy beauty feels old-fashioned in a contemporary animation world largely defined by clutter and smarm.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 May 2024
Oliver brings in Matthew Broderick, playing himself with exaggerated smarm, who effortlessly breezes through the patter song.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
That barreling is assisted mightily by the two male characters in the narrative, who take turns maximizing smarm and misogyny.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for smarm
Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024
The movie’s entrancing and melancholy beauty feels old-fashioned in a contemporary animation world largely defined by clutter and smarm.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 31 May 2024
Oliver brings in Matthew Broderick, playing himself with exaggerated smarm, who effortlessly breezes through the patter song.
—Tim Greiving, Los Angeles Times, 28 May 2024
That barreling is assisted mightily by the two male characters in the narrative, who take turns maximizing smarm and misogyny.
—David John Chávez, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024
See All Example Sentences for smarm
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarm
Noun
-
This effect is exacerbated by sycophancy and can spark groupthink, ignoring dissent or mistaking silence for support.—
Nuala Walsh,
Forbes.com,
22 May 2025
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Russian dissidents – most now either in jail or abroad – see Putin as a dictator who has built a brittle system of personal rule reliant on sycophancy and corruption that is leading Russia towards decline and turmoil.—
Reuters,
CNN Money,
4 May 2025
Noun
-
The tech titan regularly sang the president's praises on social media and even brought his 4-year-old son to the Oval Office.—
Charles Trepany,
USA Today,
7 June 2025
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While the signing was met with both praise and criticism, Skip Bayless made his feelings about the Steelers decision clear.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
7 June 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarm. Accessed 15 Jun. 2025.
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