Smirking

Smirking is a facial expression characterized by a slightly suppressed, often condescending or self-satisfied smile. It typically involves a subtle upturn of one corner of the mouth and can convey feelings of amusement, superiority, or hidden knowledge, often at another person's expense. The act of smirking often implies a lack of genuine warmth or empathy and can be perceived as disrespectful or mocking, depending on the context and the situation. It differs from a genuine smile, which usually engages both sides of the mouth and expresses positive emotions. A smirk may appear momentarily, unlike a wider smile.

Smirking meaning with examples

• As the judge delivered the guilty verdict, the defendant allowed a slight smirking to creep across his face. It was a chilling expression, conveying that he didn't care for the outcome or the people involved.
• Caught in the middle of the debate, the politician let out a smug smirk as he brought up his competitor’s past mistakes, clearly enjoying his ability to throw his opponent off of their stance.
• He couldn't help but notice the smirking from his co-workers. Having known a secret about their boss, he knew they were thinking about it and anticipating his reaction as he entered the office.
• The detective saw a smirk touch the suspect's lips after they were confronted with the damning evidence. It was clear to the seasoned officer that the suspect wasn't taking the situation seriously.