as in ingratiation
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Recent Examples of smarm
There is a ripe contrast between the smarm of Springhorn Jr.’s Theo and the squeak of Pinto’s Cohen.
—
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 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
David John Chávez, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025
At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm.
—Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 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
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Each chapter discusses a specific sales element, which includes such topics as goal setting, prospecting, ingratiation and listening tactics, empathy and much more.—
Larry D. Urish,
Oc Register,
30 Jan. 2026
Noun
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The result has been something like an inverse caricature of Republican complaints about diversity, equity, and inclusion, a system in which the incompetent rise not because of their abilities but because of their sycophancy.—
Adam Serwer,
The Atlantic,
8 Apr. 2026
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Models often learn to flatter users, a tendency known as sycophancy, and will sometimes prioritize this over honesty.—
Ronan Farrow,
New Yorker,
6 Apr. 2026
Noun
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According to Gaiani, drinking or using drugs before social situations is a major sign that your teen may be using alcohol to cope with fawning and to feel more comfortable or confident.—
Sarah Scott,
Parents,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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Colfer earned praise and a Golden Globe award for his sensitive portrayal of Kurt's journey, which included several timely bullying storylines.—
James Mercadante,
Entertainment Weekly,
11 Apr. 2026
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Sanoja said hearing that praise from Suarez, a two-time All-Star, was a confidence booster for him.—
Jordan McPherson,
Miami Herald,
11 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarm. Accessed 16 Apr. 2026.
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