smarmy

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.

Levi plays Scott as somewhat smarmy and disingenuous — it’s hard to feel for this guy when he seems absolutely clueless about his own kids.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 20, 2025

Rory turns into sandworm fodder the second he admits his slimy MO, suggesting that the smarmy leech was beyond redemption.

From Salon • Sep. 9, 2024

It starred Coleman as “Buffalo Bill” Bittinger, the smarmy, arrogant, dimwitted daytime talk show host who, unhappy at being relegated to the small-time market of Buffalo, New York, takes it out on everyone around him.

From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024

So why do I call this calming music “avant-garde jazz” and not the smarmy candy known as “smooth jazz”? Simply: smooth jazz is a category.

From New York Times • Jul. 5, 2023

“Put a word in his ear, in that smarmy way of yours. Suggest delicately that a reward might do wonders.”

From "The Ear, the Eye, and the Arm" by Nancy Farmer