smarmy
Excessively, insincerely smooth
Smarmy describes behavior that's excessively flattering or ingratiating in a way that feels false and off-putting.
A smarmy person oozes charm but seems insincere—more interested in manipulation than genuine connection: a smarmy salesman, his smarmy compliments made her uncomfortable.
The word implies something slick and slightly repellent.
Disturbingly strange
- sketchyIncomplete or suspicious
- slimyWet, slippery, unpleasant
- seedyRundown and disreputable
- shadyDisreputable or sun-blocked
disreputable · scuzzy · lecherous · leering · greasy · oily · repellent · off-putting
Feigning ignorance or innocence
- phonyFraudulent person or thing
- falseNot matching reality
- two-facedInsincere and deceptive
- hypocriticalFeigning beliefs one lacks
affected · pretentious · superficial · slick · glib · feigned · contrived · fake
Excessive insincere flattery
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- toadyingObsequious behavior seeking favor
- grovelingDemeaning self-abasement before another
servile · subservient · ingratiating · adulatory · kowtowing · brownnosing · apple-polishing · ass-kissing
creepy
Disturbingly strange
shady · disreputable · scuzzy · lecherous · leering · greasy · oily · repellent · off-putting · unsavory
disingenuous
Feigning ignorance or innocence
hypocritical · affected · pretentious · superficial · slick · glib · feigned · contrived · fake · hollow
fawning
Excessive insincere flattery
- sycophanticServilely flattering
- bootlickingServile flattery for advantage
- toadyingObsequious behavior seeking favor
groveling · servile · subservient · ingratiating · adulatory · kowtowing · brownnosing · apple-polishing · ass-kissing · deferential
- flatteryflatter, praise, flattery, compliment, compliments
- sycophancyfawning, toadying, groveling, kowtowing, brown-nosing
- sycophantssycophant, sycophants, toady, toadies, bootlicker
- persuasionpersuade, persuasion, persuasive, convince, convincing
- submissivesubmissive, subservient, obedient, servile, docile