smarm
noun
ˈsmärm 
: smarmy language or behavior
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Scott Michael Foster plays him with all of the smarm but none of the charm of Nathaniel from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. 
Sara Netzley, EW.com, 15 Oct. 2021 Cirk is a college dropout who’s become fixated on killing John Gordo (Willem Dafoe, dripping menacing smarm), the major turned private contractor who trained his father, and who trained William, at Abu Ghraib. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2021 It’s that rare yacht-rock album that’s graceful, earnest, and utterly lacking in smarm. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2021 Maybe it’s the exhausting smarm, the squirrelly ambition, the hollow theatrics. Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2021 When the high-kicking, always-leering Roth left, the band’s smarm factor decreased 10-fold. The Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2020 Played with all the smarm of a used car salesman by Murray Hamilton, Vaughn is among the first creatures to emerge out of the cynicism engendered by Watergate. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 20 Mar. 2020 Josh Lucas impressively doles out a lot of smarm as Ford’s oh-so-punchable marketing head Leo Beebe, who makes quick enemies with Miles. Brian Truitt,, Detroit Free Press, 15 Nov. 2019 Josh Lucas impressively doles out a lot of smarm as Ford’s oh-so-punchable marketing head Leo Beebe, who makes quick enemies with Miles. Brian Truitt,, Detroit Free Press, 15 Nov. 2019 See More
Sara Netzley, EW.com, 15 Oct. 2021 Cirk is a college dropout who’s become fixated on killing John Gordo (Willem Dafoe, dripping menacing smarm), the major turned private contractor who trained his father, and who trained William, at Abu Ghraib. Alison Willmore, Vulture, 2 Sep. 2021 It’s that rare yacht-rock album that’s graceful, earnest, and utterly lacking in smarm. David Browne, Rolling Stone, 22 June 2021 Maybe it’s the exhausting smarm, the squirrelly ambition, the hollow theatrics. Washington Post, 18 Feb. 2021 When the high-kicking, always-leering Roth left, the band’s smarm factor decreased 10-fold. The Enquirer, 7 Oct. 2020 Played with all the smarm of a used car salesman by Murray Hamilton, Vaughn is among the first creatures to emerge out of the cynicism engendered by Watergate. Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 20 Mar. 2020 Josh Lucas impressively doles out a lot of smarm as Ford’s oh-so-punchable marketing head Leo Beebe, who makes quick enemies with Miles. Brian Truitt,, Detroit Free Press, 15 Nov. 2019 Josh Lucas impressively doles out a lot of smarm as Ford’s oh-so-punchable marketing head Leo Beebe, who makes quick enemies with Miles. Brian Truitt,, Detroit Free Press, 15 Nov. 2019 See More Word History
Etymology
back-formation from smarmy
First Known Use
1937, in the meaning defined above
smarm
noun
as in ingratiation
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- ingratiation
- cajolery
- sycophancy
- fawning
- toadying
- praise
- adoration
- cajolement
- applause
- acclaim
- flattery
- idolatry
- caresses
- compliments
- worship
- blandishments
- respects
- congratulations
- endearments
- butter
- blarney
- commendation
- greetings
- regards
- felicitations
- adulation
- sweet talk
- overpraise
- taffy
- soft soap
- incense
- allurements
- flannel
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- disparagement
- detraction
- depreciation
- belittlement
- put-down
- bad-mouthing