: smarmy language or behavior

Examples of smarm in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
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 There is a ripe contrast between the smarm of Springhorn Jr.’s Theo and the squeak of Pinto’s Cohen. David John Chávez, Mercury News, 16 Apr. 2025 Bill’s smarm has calcified into a kind of mad obsession; Hal is a starkly lonely and cowardly man. Angelica Jade Bastién, Vulture, 22 Feb. 2025 While Jake Gyllenhaal keeps Rusty tightly wrapped in a tornado of resentment and self-pity and Peter Sarsgaard amps up the smarm he’s known for, Fagbenle’s Nico is free to ping-pong around in his affect. Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 23 July 2024 See All Example Sentences for smarm

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from smarmy

First Known Use

1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of smarm was in 1937

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Smarm.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/smarm. Accessed 9 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on smarm

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!