Thesaurus results for SMIRKING

smirking

verb

Definition of smirking

present participle of smirk

as in grimacing

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 smirking That’s when Way mutters the p-word — under his breath for plausible deniability, but certainly still with the intention of being heard, smirking at the sound of my laughter. — Selome Hailu, Variety, 18 Aug. 2026 La Nueva Violencia is a smirking, libidinous play for the dance floor, picking up where the distorted guitars of the last record left off and channeling each new riff into sleazy post-punk and electroclash that stick to the body like sweaty velvet. — Richard Villegas, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026 In memes, Dafoe's smirking declaration has been used to represent overconfidence and pseudointellectualism. — Owen Carry, USA Today, 11 Aug. 2026 As the actor who originated the role, Johnson fares a bit better as Maui, smirking and preening and repeatedly tossing Moana off her own boat in attempts to commandeer it for himself. — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 July 2026 The noble consort takes the empress’s place, smirking, and stealthily pushes her down the stairs when no one is watching. — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026 The two singers stared at each other silently while smirking, refusing to confirm or deny the rumor. — Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 27 June 2026 Meanwhile, several Yankees, including Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham and Clarke Schmidt, could be seen smirking and smiling in the dugout as a trainer tended to Chisholm. — Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 19 June 2026 He was seen smirking in the courtroom, at times laughing, as prosecutors laid out their case for him to be detained. — Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 30 Apr. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirking

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
On Monday’s episode of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, a grimacing Stewart was flabbergasted at why, exactly, the president elbowed his way into a spotlight clearly not intended for him.

— Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 July 2026

Definition of grimacing

Verb

This focuses readers on the all-black uniforms of the veiled pupils, who—in a long frame at the center of the page—sit between the looming, frowning teacher on the right and Marji on the left, who stands up to explain that her uncle was executed by the Islamic regime.

— Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
Woods, 50, is seen frowning in the photo, taken shortly after the legendary golfer was booked into jail on March 27 after his Land Rover rolled over in Jupiter Island, Florida.

— Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026

Definition of frowning

Verb

Some people will probably be pouting in those debriefs.

— Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 12 Mar. 2026
My introduction to Peters came late last year, when Instagram’s algorithm served me a video of him wearing a baseball cap, primping and pouting for the camera.

— Thomas Chatterton Williams, The Atlantic, 19 Jan. 2026

Definition of pouting

Browse Nearby Words

smirked

smirking

smirks

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“Smirking.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smirking. Accessed 26 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of smirking

verb

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