"Smarten" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
To become or make someone more intelligent, knowledgeable, or perceptive.
Example: "He's trying to smarten up his students with more challenging assignments."
Smarminess refers to a condescending or self-important behavior, often accompanied by an air of superiority, typically displayed by someone who is overly full of themselves and looks down on others. It can also imply a sly or cunning quality, often with a hint of arrogance.<br><br>Example: "The smarminess of the celebrity's publicist was off-putting, making everyone around feel inferior."<br><br>Synonyms: conceitedness, snootiness, superciliousness, haughtiness, condescension.
A person who speaks in a witty, sarcastic, or condescending way, often in an attempt to appear clever or superior. The term is used to describe someone who makes snide or annoyingly clever remarks, often at the expense of others.