Smarmy
adjective
Someone who is insincerely polite or friendly, usually trying to get something.
Her smarmy coworker was always trying to impress the boss.
Often appears as...
- smarmy salesman
- smarmy smile
Usage tips
Disapproving
adjective
Someone who is insincerely polite or friendly, usually trying to get something.
Her smarmy coworker was always trying to impress the boss.
Often appears as...
- smarmy salesman
- smarmy smile
Usage tips
Disapproving
Definition 1 of 1
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Impression
Using 'smarmy' suggests someone is not genuine and can create a negative impression of the person described.
His smarmy grin made me mistrust his intentions.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Flattery
'Smarmy' is not simple flattery; it implies excessive sweetness or charm used manipulatively.
The smarmy compliments felt more like a sales pitch than genuine praise.
Pro Tip 3/3Evaluate Context
Consider the context; 'smarmy' often suggests that the polite behavior is out of place or inappropriate.
His smarmy remarks during the serious meeting were distasteful.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Impression
Using 'smarmy' suggests someone is not genuine and can create a negative impression of the person described.
His smarmy grin made me mistrust his intentions.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Flattery
'Smarmy' is not simple flattery; it implies excessive sweetness or charm used manipulatively.
The smarmy compliments felt more like a sales pitch than genuine praise.
Pro Tip 3/3Evaluate Context
Consider the context; 'smarmy' often suggests that the polite behavior is out of place or inappropriate.
His smarmy remarks during the serious meeting were distasteful.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Impression
Using 'smarmy' suggests someone is not genuine and can create a negative impression of the person described.
His smarmy grin made me mistrust his intentions.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Flattery
'Smarmy' is not simple flattery; it implies excessive sweetness or charm used manipulatively.
The smarmy compliments felt more like a sales pitch than genuine praise.
Pro Tip 3/3Evaluate Context
Consider the context; 'smarmy' often suggests that the polite behavior is out of place or inappropriate.
His smarmy remarks during the serious meeting were distasteful.
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Quote examples
Greg Gutfeld
American Author
I hate 'Rolling Stone' - because I loved it so much. I had the 'Cheap Tricks' cover and the Clash cover on my wall for years, and I just hate what happened to it. It just became the smarmy grad student that sits next to you on the bus.
Quote examples
Ty Burrell
American Actor
I've played a lot of really smarmy people in film, and it can be real fun, don't get me wrong. But it can be characters I'm not as excited to explore.
Quote examples
Carolyn See
American Author
Gillespie and I' is a deliciously morbid, almost smutty story, a compendium of inappropriate wants and smarmy desires.
Quote examples
Adam Brody
American Actor
I worry that I can come off smarmy. I wonder if I was listening to myself if I'd want to kick my own ass.
Quote examples
Greg Gutfeld
American Author
I hate 'Rolling Stone' - because I loved it so much. I had the 'Cheap Tricks' cover and the Clash cover on my wall for years, and I just hate what happened to it. It just became the smarmy grad student that sits next to you on the bus.
Quote examples
Ty Burrell
American Actor
I've played a lot of really smarmy people in film, and it can be real fun, don't get me wrong. But it can be characters I'm not as excited to explore.
Quote examples
Carolyn See
American Author
Gillespie and I' is a deliciously morbid, almost smutty story, a compendium of inappropriate wants and smarmy desires.
Quote examples
Adam Brody
American Actor
I worry that I can come off smarmy. I wonder if I was listening to myself if I'd want to kick my own ass.
Example 1 of 4
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