smirk 1 of 2

verb

Definition of smirknext
as in to grimace
to smile in an unpleasant way because you are pleased with yourself, glad about someone else's trouble, etc. She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.

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smirk

2 of 2

noun

as in sneer

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Example Sentences

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 smirk
Verb
The two singers stared at each other silently while smirking, refusing to confirm or deny the rumor. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026 On our recent trip to Arizona, my 12-year-old son lingered in the Grand Canyon gift shop near the stickers, smirked at me, and picked out two of his favorites. — Jaclyn Greenberg, Parents, 18 June 2026
Noun
At 23, Miller became Dunn’s apprentice at Texas Traditions, in Austin, weathering his mentor’s hot temper (he got fired every so often for a smirk, a glance, a daydream) while absorbing his technique. — Jeanne Malle, Air Mail, 4 July 2026 There was a point in Patrick Paul’s ascension last season where his smirk, his hearty chuckles irritated, if not frustrated his opponents to the point of anger. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 26 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for smirk
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirk
  1. grimace
  2. sneer
  3. stare
  4. snicker
  5. scowl
  6. snigger
  7. frown
Verb
  • Garner started the video with a clip of her drinking leftovers from the drink container and seemingly getting a brain freeze, holding her hand to her forehead and grimacing.
    — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Artur fell to the ground, grimaced in pain and held his hand up to get the referee’s attention.
    — Latif Love August 2, Kansas City Star, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of grimace
Noun
  • Monica Bellucci’s sneer is a thing of wonder, so why have so few directors used it properly?
    — Jay Weissberg, Variety, 8 Aug. 2026
  • The film’s sincerity — the quality critics praised most — was met with a sneer rather than a response.
    — Nick Lichtenberg, Fortune, 6 July 2026
Definition of sneer
Verb
  • The students stared at their feet and struggled to keep straight faces.
    — Jack Dolan, Los Angeles Times, 11 Aug. 2026
  • Very few things in movies and television shows delight me as much as a mysterious character revealing his or her fascinating backstory through an extended monologue that is delivered while staring off into the unspecified middle distance.
    — Brian Grubb, Vulture, 10 Aug. 2026
Definition of stare
Noun
  • Classic cookies come in 11 flavors like chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, snicker doodle, white chocolate macadamia nut, fruity pebbles, monster and white chocolate cranberry.
    — Ella Gonzales, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 July 2026
  • As is, this is a foolish thriller that prompts the occasional snicker but not much more.
    — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 9 July 2026
Definition of snicker
Verb
  • Whether his teams were good or bad, his outspoken and occasionally scowling personality almost always commanded the room.
    — Carl Steward, Mercury News, 9 Aug. 2026
  • The note was written on Cohn’s personal stationery, imprinted with a scowling caricature of himself.
    — Kai Bird, New Yorker, 3 Aug. 2026
Definition of scowl
Noun
  • Each time an audience member so much as sniggers or sneezes, money is docked from a prize pot of £250,000 ($330,000), the slightest noise costing them up to £10,000 ($13,000) each time.
    — Alex Ritman, Variety, 2 May 2025
  • The tribal leader sniggers; a trade with foreign infidels is inconceivable.
    — Bing West, Foreign Affairs, 1 Sep. 2011
Definition of snigger
Verb
  • Puni is entrenched at right guard for his third season, and Foerster has frowned on the idea of shifting him to the vacant left-guard spot.
    — Cam Inman, Mercury News, 20 July 2026
  • The maid remained at the door while Helen took a seat on the sofa, and Sonya frowned.
    — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026
Definition of frown

Browse Nearby Words

smirching
smirk
smirked
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Cite this Entry

“Smirk.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirk. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Nglish: Translation of smirk for Spanish Speakers

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