What does the word “smirk” convey to you? If a character in a book smirks at something said by another character how do you feel about the smirker?
Am I wrong to feel that “smirk” has a negative connotation? And what would be a more pleasant word to use when one character is mildly put off or even amused by another character’s words?
I need help here, because I don’t want to use the word “smirk,” yet all of its synonyms are even more off putting: simper, snigger, leer. Ugh!
Surely “said” is a better choice. Right?
Peace, people.
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Smirk has negative connotations, or sarcastic. Chortle?
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I like chortle; although, it’s auditory whereas smirk is visual.
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True. You could go with a description of what the face looked like….her eyes lifted in amusement as her mouth quivered infinitesimally (but you know better than what I just threw down)
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I like the eyes lifting. Much more what I had in mind than smirked.
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I’d play with it like that. Gives it more dimension and then if you use said it doesn’t matter as much
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Yes!
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I recently read a book in which the author used the word “husked” rather than “said” when the male protagonist was getting romantic. I could not get past that awful word choice. “You’re beautiful,” Martin husked.
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That’s not a good choice for a romantic scene. The thing about said is, you need it for the boring stuff. When it’s a scene that’s important to the story you can’t say said…you have to distinguish that scene from the others
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Agreed. Without employing adverbs. That’s tough.
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You say ‘smirk,’ I think ‘snark.’ Fun, but probably negative. Unless you like snark, which I do. Did you thank me for being no help? heh heh. I smirked.
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Snark is slightly better. It’s more friendly banter feeling.
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Smirk doesn’t sound friendly to me too.
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Me either. It feels nefarious.
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Exactly.
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Archaic Scots smicker?
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Smicker has a nicer ring to it, but I’m not sure anyone else would understand. You’d have to be my interpreter!
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🙂
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Smug?
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Smug might work in some instances.
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Thanks!
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Depends on what is being smirked, also known as context.
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True. I’m just not fond of smirking.
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I have seen it used in both a negative, sneerey/mocking sort of way and as in a playful/fun/goofy way (though those times often have a context associated with it like “a playful smirk”). I think you can use it either way as long as you give enough context to make it clear which one you are shooting for.
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Thanks!
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Her lips pressed together to surpress the tentative grin of amusement which might have been perceived as a smirk… (Honestly I think I am occasionally on the side of the smirker because it sometimes shows a keen sense of humor and superior intelect.)
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It’s just those damned synonyms: leer, simper, snigger. Ugh!
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Does your character feel superior? Then he or she can’t help smirking. If not, maybe your character was simply amused. Maybe a smirk is more in the eye of the beholder, insecurity of the beholder. It’s ok for your characters to have behaviors or traits you don’t like.
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I just don’t see this character smirking, but I see what you mean. There are times a smirk is called for.
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