SMARM Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

smarm

noun

Definition of smarm

as in ingratiation

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of smarm As an aspiring New York City comic recently separated from his wife, Arnett is earnest, slightly lost and — for perhaps the first time ever onscreen — entirely smarm-less. — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Dec. 2025 Man’s Best Friend’s dewy charm/smarm offensive also seems purposely set to so much country music, a field shaped by its key artists’ and core audience’s Christian family values. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 Among the most attention-getting of the pickups (speaking of Carell) was Peacock and The Office creators trotting out their new show, a mockumentary shot at a mid-city newspaper, complete with the return of Oscar Martinez and his smarm. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm. — Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for smarm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarm

Noun

Cathy’s ingratiation with, and eventual usurpation of, brothel owner Faye (Martha Plimpton) gets an entire episode.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
Even effective flattery or ingratiation may have limits, especially when the stakes are highest.

— Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of ingratiation

Noun

Anthropic has conducted studies on its models’ undesirable behaviors, such as disempowerment and sycophancy.

— Matthew Sun, The Atlantic, 4 Sep. 2026
Anthropic's own researchers reached a similar conclusion in a paper presented at ICLR in 2024, finding that training on human preferences does not remove sycophancy and can encourage it, and that five leading assistants showed it consistently.

— Boaz Sobrado, Forbes.com, 1 Aug. 2026

Definition of sycophancy

Noun

Lancôme’s Idôle 3 Serum Supertint Skin Tint What exactly goes into a skin tint that graces the complexions of Mendes, Holmes, Sarandon, and gets the highest praise from a talented makeup artist?

— Tamim Alnuweiri, InStyle, 1 Oct. 2026
The place back in 2013 received high praise in Saveur magazine for its pies, 20 different varieties.

— Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 1 Oct. 2026

Definition of praise

Browse Nearby Words

small-timers

smarm

smart

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“Smarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarm. Accessed 2 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of smarm

noun

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