simper
Affected bashful grin
To simper is to smile in an excessively coy, self-conscious, or affected way—a smile that suggests artificiality or simpering flattery rather than genuine warmth: She simpered at the compliment.
The word carries connotations of weakness or insincerity.
As a noun, a simper is such a smile: He greeted her with an irritating simper.
Uncomfortably self-conscious
- demureModestly reserved in manner
- shyReserved and retiring
- modestLacking in pretension
- coquettishPlayfully alluring in manner
flirtatious · reserved · diffident · reticent · timid · meek · self-effacing · unassuming
Artificially contrived behavior
- artificialMade, not natural
- contrivedDeliberately manufactured, unnatural
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
feigned · unconvincing · disingenuous · stilted · pretentious · awkward · mechanical · perfunctory
Excessive insincere flattery
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
- ingratiatingSeeking favor through flattery
flattering · groveling · bootlicking · toadying · smarmy · oleaginous · subservient · slavish
Scornful expression
- snickerStifled, scornful laugh
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
- self-satisfiedSmugly pleased with oneself
- condescendingSuperior and dismissive manner
supercilious · disdainful · contemptuous · scornful · derisive · sardonic · knowing · sly
bashful
Uncomfortably self-conscious
coquettish · flirtatious · reserved · diffident · reticent · timid · meek · self-effacing · unassuming · innocent
affected
Artificially contrived behavior
- artificialMade, not natural
- contrivedDeliberately manufactured, unnatural
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
strained · feigned · unconvincing · disingenuous · stilted · pretentious · awkward · mechanical · perfunctory · superficial
fawning
Excessive insincere flattery
- obsequiousServilely attentive to superiors
- servileExcessively submissive, lacking independence
- unctuousExcessively and insincerely earnest
ingratiating · flattering · groveling · bootlicking · toadying · smarmy · oleaginous · subservient · slavish · kowtowing
sneer
Scornful expression
- snickerStifled, scornful laugh
- smugExcessively self-satisfied
- self-satisfiedSmugly pleased with oneself
condescending · supercilious · disdainful · contemptuous · scornful · derisive · sardonic · knowing · sly · arch
- smilesgrin, beam, warm smile, toothy grin, half smile
- Affected Speechaffectation, airs, pretentiousness, posh accent, overenunciation
- flatteryflatter, praise, flattery, compliment, compliments
simpergenuine smile
Authentic expression of happiness
beam · warm smile · grin · belly laugh