smarm
2 synonyms for smarm, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — Talk or behaviour that is falsely charming or flattering.
Synonyms
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
fulsomeness
unction
Etymology
The noun is attested since 1914, from the colloquial verb smalm, smarm (“to smear, bedaub (hair, with pomade)”), attested since 1847, of unknown origin, perhaps somehow suggestive of the action. Verbal meaning "to smear with flattery" is from 1902.
Full origin of smarm →