smirked

past tense of smirk
as in grimaced
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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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 smirked When told about his numbers, Coleman kind of smirked at the total, expecting a larger number. Chris Hays, The Orlando Sentinel, 16 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirked
Verb
  • Shelton first grimaced in pain after hitting a forehand at the end of the third set.
    Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025
  • Roupp immediately grimaced and collapsed onto the infield grass.
    Andrew Baggarly, New York Times, 21 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • Firefighters batter Stephen Cullen stared up at Dullaghan from the plate with a frown on his face before giving the fan a thumbs down.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Cali stared at him, then reached for one of his beers.
    Bryan Washington, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • At certain workplaces, it’s frowned upon to sit, to appear idle or to gather around in groups.
    Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 4 Sep. 2025
  • In Israel it is frowned upon to criticize the nation, especially in front of outsiders.
    Uriel Kon September 2, Literary Hub, 2 Sep. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Smirked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirked. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.

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