smarm

Plural: smarms

Noun

Excessive or unctuous flattery or ingratiating charm.
excessive but superficial compliments given with affected charm
Smarmy language or behavior.
A style of fan fiction in which characters are warm and caring toward each other but without sexual overtones.

Verb

To fawn, to be unctuous.
To address in a fawning and unctuous manner.

Examples

The smarm of his opponent’s compliments didn’t distract him from their cunning Scrabble strategy.

Origin / 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.

Synonyms

fulsomeness, unction

Scrabble Score: 9

smarm: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
smarm: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
smarm: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 11

smarm: valid Words With Friends Word