How to Use smirk in a Sentence

smirk

1 of 2 noun
  • Michelle replied with a smirk and a nudge.
    — Hannah Malach, InStyle, 25 June 2026
  • There was no wink, there was no smirk.
    — Mike Miller, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Nov. 2025
  • The sneakiest of smirks looked painful.
    — Scott Dochterman, New York Times, 8 Jan. 2026
  • In the video, Castela sings these words with a knowing smirk.
    — Carolina Abbott Galvão, The Dial, 6 Jan. 2026
  • LaRoche, watching from the sixth row, shot a smirk right back to her.
    — Jared Weiss, New York Times, 29 Sep. 2025
  • The self-aware smirk and carefree bounce of the record is a bit of a surprise, though.
    — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 6 July 2026
  • That comment and a smirk from Holly pushed her over the edge.
    — Ashley Vega, PEOPLE, 25 Oct. 2025
  • For her part, the first lady nearly managed a smirk.
    — Tony Maglio, HollywoodReporter, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The sign-and-trade deal with the Bulls was greeted with either a shrug or a smirk.
    — Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, 2 Apr. 2022
  • That grin is a smirk, a freeze-frame guffaw, and a snicker of contempt all at the same time.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 20 Mar. 2022
  • Gosling said in his trademark slight-smirk delivery.
    — Assistant Editor, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2026
  • The picture shows the actress posing on a boat with a playful smirk on her face.
    — Michael Lee Simpson, Peoplemag, 19 July 2023
  • Reese gave a knowing smirk as a wave of quiet snickers carried across the room.
    — Kara Voght, Washington Post, 26 May 2023
  • Then laughs from the back of the room while Paul sat with his hat on backward, chin up and a slight smirk.
    — Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023
  • Today, a Michigan coach might meet that saying with a smirk.
    — Chantel Jennings, New York Times, 26 Feb. 2026
  • Anthony’s friend David had ridden up on his bike with a smirk on his face.
    — Evan Allen, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Dec. 2021
  • Suddenly, the lights went out and we were left with the image of his haunting smirk.
    — Steven Vargas, Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2023
  • Hedda’s smirk speaks volumes as the film flashes back to that fateful night.
    — Damon Wise, Deadline, 9 Sep. 2025
  • This adds bounce, and a smirk, to the romantic broodiness of the chords and melody.
    — Delia Casadei, The Conversation, 31 May 2023
  • Off on the side, her sister, Princess Margaret, gives a small smirk.
    — Stephanie Petit, Peoplemag, 10 Aug. 2023
  • And Nix, often with a smirk, will return the volley.
    — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Jan. 2026
  • Both comments were said with a straight dead pan delivery, and maybe the slightest of smirks.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 12 Nov. 2025
  • Without raising his head, his eyes glanced up from his desk, and a slight smirk came from the corner of his mouth.
    — Amiee Ball, Forbes, 10 Aug. 2022
  • My go-to strategy to keep from breaking is to allow the smirk to happen.
    — Ew Staff, EW.com, 23 Sep. 2022
  • Jordan tells Little Gold Men with a smirk.
    — Rebecca Ford, Vanity Fair, 19 Feb. 2026
  • Naomi Watts has a Joker-esque smirk, which is fun.
    — Bethy Squires, Vulture, 6 Nov. 2025
  • On the whole, however, the humor is more bemused smirk than belly laugh.
    — Katie Rife, Rolling Stone, 5 Aug. 2022
  • The prospect of doing it again with even larger stakes brought an excited smirk to Smart’s face.
    — Los Angeles Times, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Kai tapped the side of his head and gave me a conspiratorial smirk—this was some kind of secret weapon.
    — William Finnegan, The New Yorker, 23 May 2022
  • There might have been a smirk and own-the-libs wink when Carlson made such egregiously over-the-top remarks.
    — Mark Z. Barabak, Los Angeles Times, 24 Apr. 2023

smirk

2 of 2 verb
  • She tried not to smirk when they announced the winner.
  • One smirked while the others stared me down.
    — Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 11 May 2026
  • Desler smirked and gave him a small nod, which Goth returned.
    — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 10 Nov. 2025
  • Chiles, waiting to speak in the back of the room, shook his head briefly and smirked.
    — Noah White, Miami Herald, 12 Sep. 2025
  • The camera then panned to the actress, who smirked and shrugged.
    — Jolene Latimer, Peoplemag, 20 Apr. 2023
  • Sue smirks at her friend/lover’s handsomeness and joins in on the scheme.
    — Kristin Vartan, EW.com, 11 Nov. 2019
  • Head coach Todd Bowles could only smirk.
    — Rick Stroud, The Orlando Sentinel, 14 June 2026
  • His cousin Michael smirked at him before pulling his own helmet on.
    — Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 12 Sep. 2019
  • Her skin was a cocoa shade, and her luscious, dark curls framed the light smirk on her face.
    — Hayley Folk, refinery29.com, 20 June 2021
  • The weapon is held next to the teen's prom date in a black suit and pink tie, who smirks at the camera.
    — Monique O. Madan, miamiherald, 22 Apr. 2018
  • Sneed repeated, and then smirked.
    — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 26 Sep. 2025
  • With this, Friedmann smirked at Hall and gave a quick wave of the hand.
    — James Verini, New Yorker, 2 Mar. 2026
  • Amma seems to spot Camille and smirks at her before closing the door.
    — Cady Drell, Marie Claire, 23 July 2018
  • The smirking Nabokov is tiresome.
    — New York Times, 16 Oct. 2025
  • Stabler smirked before opening the door for her and wishing her a good night.
    — Alex Ross, PEOPLE, 26 Sep. 2025
  • Father Byrne smirked like a judge deciding whether to award style points.
    — Mike Kerrigan, WSJ, 14 June 2019
  • And Jules raises his hand, kind of smirking already.
    — Andrew Callahan, Boston Herald, 20 Sep. 2025
  • Once the singing subsided, Trump gripped the podium and smirked.
    — Eric Cortellessa, Time, 14 June 2023
  • At the time, Styles claimed not to know her while smirking at someone off-camera.
    — Alex Gurley, Peoplemag, 27 Mar. 2023
  • When Sharikas smirked in court and denied stabbing the victim, the judge upped it to life.
    — Rachel Weiner, Washington Post, 24 Sep. 2017
  • Even in a sample group of three, however, hands on hips, smirk on lips, West stands apart.
    — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 10 Feb. 2022
  • The Poets smirking at us in the garden, their coats blowing open like bat wings.
    — Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
  • As the audience cracked up, Comey smirked, and took another big sip of wine.
    — Emily Yahr, chicagotribune.com, 18 Apr. 2018
  • With those small, platinum-blonde strands in the front and that slight smirk on her face, Hough almost looks like her twin.
    — Allure, 1 July 2021
  • Normally, this would not be the time for pleasantries, but Rick smirks anyway.
    — Laura Bradley, HWD, 12 Feb. 2017
  • In fact, Nick, as fans pointed out, smirked the second John announced his pick.
    — Lauren Puckett, Good Housekeeping, 25 Apr. 2020
  • Hill briefly glanced in his direction before turning away and smirking.
    — Rebecca Rosenberg, Fox News, 8 Sep. 2023
  • Cruz then smirks as the officers detaining her place her on the hood of a vehicle.
    — Alex Nitzberg, FOXNews.com, 16 Jan. 2026
  • Crusius reportedly smirked, rolled his eyes or smiled at times as witnesses spoke in court.
    — Justine McDaniel, Washington Post, 7 July 2023
  • Colson replied with a photo of herself smirking while wearing a green jacket.
    — Ryan Morik, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2025

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'smirk.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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