smirk
verb (used without object)
to smile in an affected, smug, or offensively familiar way.
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.
His Clark Kent-esque transformation, from unimposing nice guy — “the nicest guy in the entire world,” Casparius said — to smirking menace whenever the day needs saving is the stuff of comic book legends.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 15, 2026
"We all saw how he disrespected the courtroom, smirking and laughing amongst his lawyers during witness testimonies. That did not help his case at all," said law professor Lim Ji-bong.
From BBC ● Jan. 15, 2026
Now that I have done so, I picture Harper smirking at me, suddenly bored by how easy adults are to manipulate and already thinking of some new mischief to get up to.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 7, 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
Both Cat and Harriet turned to see John Harvey, smirking, with Dixie at his feet.
From "Caterpillar Summer" by Gillian McDunn
