Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Mr. Powell, smirking and smug, tells his life story to a visiting priest who drops by his cell for a last conversation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 19, 2026

Members of Gen Alpha, it added, might be "smirking at the thought of adults once again struggling to make sense of your notoriously slippery slang."

From Barron's • Oct. 30, 2025

During this whole interaction, Nate is just smirking and laughing along cause yeah, at this point Andy thinks it’s pretty silly too.

From Salon • Aug. 17, 2025

A smirking Usyk replied: "You should teach your fighter to punch clean."

From BBC • Apr. 29, 2025

He’s been smirking and avoiding feelings for as long as I’ve known him.

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman