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 While each Republican sheep committed a virtual public hanging of the accomplished Fauci, Laura Ingraham smirked each and every time a Republican lambasted him! Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 3 Aug. 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 Unbothered, Louis smirked at his sister and continued to boogie to the beat. Alicia Brunker, InStyle, 11 June 2026 Stankiewicz, 61, smirked at the fitting metaphor after the Trojans clinched their first NCAA super regional berth in 21 years. Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2026 Corey observed the Amazon representatives smirked when residents spoke. Deborah Laverty, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026 When told that Hyland modeled his game after the famed streetballer Hot Sauce from the And-1 Mixtape Tour, Finch smirked. Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 3 Mar. 2026 With this, Friedmann smirked at Hall and gave a quick wave of the hand. James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026 Desler smirked and gave him a small nod, which Goth returned. Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirked
Verb
  • Then, as Cerúndolo prepared to serve, Sinner grimaced, took a few gingerly steps, and stretched his apparently cramping legs.
    Eric Klinenberg, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Clark immediately started limping and grimaced as she was subbed out.
    James Boyd, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • As prosecutors played audio of Davis explaining the moment Shakur was shot, members of Shakur's family, including his stepbrother Maurice Shakur, stared ahead and listened intently from the audience.
    CBS News, CBS News, 17 Aug. 2026
  • Near the intersection of 11th Street and Washington Avenue, Hoffmann stopped and stared at the illuminated building across the street — the Miami Beach Police Department.
    Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 14 Aug. 2026
Verb
  • Those that attended mostly sat and scowled.
    Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 25 Feb. 2026
  • Another line of attack likens the show to when bachelorette parties invade gay bars — a practice frequently scowled upon by gay patrons.
    Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 22 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • Like a growing number of French seaside resorts, it's not only frowned upon; you can be fined.
    Lanie Goodman, Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Aug. 2026
  • The sky darkened suddenly, as if it had been turned down by a dimmer switch, and Decoteau frowned at a weather app on his phone.
    Rachel Monroe, New Yorker, 17 Aug. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Smirked.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirked. Accessed 29 Aug. 2026.

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