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Synonyms for smirk

Grammar : Noun
Spell : smurk
Phonetic Transcription : smɜrk


Définition of smirk

Origin :
  • Old English smearcian "to smile." No exact cognates in other languages, but probably related to smerian "to laugh at, scorn," from Proto-Germanic *smer-, *smar-, variant of PIE *smei- "to smile;" see smile (v.), which after c.1500 gradually restricted smirk to the unpleasant sense "smile affectedly; grin in a malicious or smug way." In some 18c. glossaries smirk is still simply "to smile." Related: Smirked; smirking. The noun is recorded by 1560s.
  • noun sly smile
Example sentences :
  • "I reckon Sim made the short on it," said Reuben with a smirk.
  • Extract from : « The Shadow of a Crime » by Hall Caine
  • She felled him in the middle of a smirk, and seized the opportunity created.
  • Extract from : « The Martian Cabal » by Roman Frederick Starzl
  • Dolores turned around with a smirk of biting ridicule on her face.
  • Extract from : « Mayflower (Flor de mayo) » by Vicente Blasco Ibez
  • There was a smirk of pharisaical satisfaction on their faces.
  • Extract from : « My New Curate » by P.A. Sheehan
  • Fortunately the bride, all smirk and blush, had just entered the room.
  • Extract from : « Waverley » by Sir Walter Scott
  • And best of all, there's no mob of nit-wits to titter and smirk.
  • Extract from : « David Lannarck, Midget » by George S. Harney
  • "It is not the day that is so charming," said the Butterfly with a smirk.
  • Extract from : « Seven Little People and their Friends » by Horace Elisha Scudder
  • "We were speaking of Ground Squirrels——" he began with a smirk.
  • Extract from : « The Tale of Benny Badger » by Arthur Scott Bailey
  • Toad began to sit up in his chair again, and to smirk a little.
  • Extract from : « The Wind in the Willows » by Kenneth Grahame
  • "Wherever you are, must be good for me," said Peter, trying to smirk and to look pleased.
  • Extract from : « Linda Tressel » by Anthony Trollope

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Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019