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 Dawson was ejected by smirking plate ump Joe West in a 1991 game for arguing West’s shape-shifting strike zone. — Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026 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

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smirking

Verb

Judge could be seen grimacing on a check swing during the third inning and hobbling in the outfield during the fifth inning.

— Gary Phillips, New York Daily News, 18 Sep. 2026
More people were wrapped around the block grimacing about not getting inside to support the local artists than made it inside.

— Caden Perry, jsonline.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of grimacing

Verb

While everyone else is staring at dot plots and hanging on Jensen Huang's every utterance, Illumina (ILMN) has been quietly doing what good charts do.

— Josh Brown,Sean Russo, CNBC, 17 Sep. 2026
But that’s not how the VAR system works, because the Premier League fears that every key decision would end with the ref staring at the pitchside monitor.

— Graham Scott, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2026

Definition of staring

Verb

That is one of the tantalizing questions bubbling up in A Talent for Murder, in which Helen Mirren embodies Highsmith in all her devious, scowling genius.

— Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of scowling

Verb

Looking on was Trooper Major, body camera footage shows, frowning in the sun as the deputies followed guidance from a portable defibrillator device.

— Brittany Wallman, Miami Herald, 11 Sep. 2026
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

Definition of frowning

Verb

During the first day of the charter, Sandy notices that Nathan is punishing Joe for pouting in the previous charter, which wins her over to Joe’s side.

— Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 15 Sep. 2026
Kardashian was snapped sitting in front of the pair, pouting while flashing a peace sign at the camera during a break from filming.

— Escher Walcott, PEOPLE, 25 Aug. 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 23 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of smirking

verb

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