Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Then, when Martin’s co-host Steve Inskeep smarmily jumped to his colleague’s defense, O’Brien really let loose — and so did her followers.

From Salon • Nov. 27, 2019

“Of course we shouldn’t be talking about punishing women,” Cruz smarmily proclaimed in the aftermath of Trump’s comments.

From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2016

Onscreen, he said, a bit smarmily, “Maybe you’re just afraid of that loss of control,” which made the audience laugh uproariously.

From The New Yorker • Feb. 24, 2015

Describing installations like “The Creation Myth,” he hooks you with his endless detours and digressions while somehow keeping up a smarmily professional, Koonsian facade.

From New York Times • Dec. 19, 2013

He started off so smarmily overconfident about his new career as a spiv.

From Slate • Feb. 13, 2012