SMARM Synonyms: 39 Similar and Opposite Words

smarm

noun

Definition of smarm

as in ingratiation

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of smarm As an aspiring New York City comic recently separated from his wife, Arnett is earnest, slightly lost and — for perhaps the first time ever onscreen — entirely smarm-less. — Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle, 22 Dec. 2025 Man’s Best Friend’s dewy charm/smarm offensive also seems purposely set to so much country music, a field shaped by its key artists’ and core audience’s Christian family values. — Craig Jenkins, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2025 Among the most attention-getting of the pickups (speaking of Carell) was Peacock and The Office creators trotting out their new show, a mockumentary shot at a mid-city newspaper, complete with the return of Oscar Martinez and his smarm. — Steven Zeitchik, HollywoodReporter, 27 May 2025 At its worst, the earnestness curdles into self-congratulatory smarm. — Inkoo Kang, The New Yorker, 29 June 2024 See All Example Sentences for smarm

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smarm

Noun

Cathy’s ingratiation with, and eventual usurpation of, brothel owner Faye (Martha Plimpton) gets an entire episode.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 1 Oct. 2026
Even effective flattery or ingratiation may have limits, especially when the stakes are highest.

— Tom Huddleston Jr., CNBC, 24 Sep. 2026

Definition of ingratiation

Noun

His praise reached Secretly Group’s director of A&R, Eric Deines, who co-runs a smaller label of his own, Ulyssa, previously most notable for its compilations of songs with almost no listens on streaming services called <1000.

— Jack Denton, Vulture, 22 Oct. 2026
To win effusive praise from special envoy Steve Witkoff and announce a resumption in negotiations, Russian President Vladimir Putin had to do very little.

— Francesca Ebel, Washington Post, 22 Oct. 2026

Definition of praise

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small-timers

smarm

smart

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Style

“Smarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smarm. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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Synonyms of smarm

noun

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