noun / verb

smirk

SMURK/smɜːrk/

A smug or self-satisfied smile, or to smile this way.

The man smirks with his chin raised and one eyebrow lifted.

A close three-quarter portrait of a man smirking: one corner of his closed mouth curls upward, his chin is slightly raised, and his sidelong gaze and subtly lifted eyebrow convey smug self-satisfaction rather than a friendly smile.

Etymology

Old English smearcian meant simply 'to smile.' As smile became the usual neutral term, smirk increasingly specialized in an affected, malicious, or self-satisfied smile.

In context

Mike Rafi - Personal Injury Lawyer10:42

jur number nine smirk roll his eyes

Jury Selection… from a lawyer’s POV

More examples

A smirk crosses her face when her rival makes a mistake.
He smirked as if he already knew he would win.
Wipe that smirk off your face and take this seriously.

Forms

smirk · smirks · smirked · smirking

Similar words

smile: A broader term that does not necessarily suggest smugness.
grin: Usually a broad smile, often showing teeth, without implying smugness.
sneer: Expresses contempt more directly, rather than merely self-satisfaction.