What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
swarmy
Example
The party was so crowded that it felt swarmy. [swarmy: adjective]
Example
A swarmy of bees flew past us while we were hiking. [swarmy: noun]
Example
The salesman's swarmy attitude made me feel uncomfortable. [swarmy: adjective]
smarmy
Example
I don't trust that smarmy politician. [smarmy: adjective]
Example
The waiter's smarmy smile made me feel uneasy. [smarmy: adjective]
Example
The salesperson's smarmy tone was off-putting. [smarmy: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Smarmy is more commonly used than swarmy in everyday language. Smarmy is often used to describe insincere behavior or attitudes, while swarmy is less common and more likely to be used in specific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between swarmy and smarmy?
Neither swarmy nor smarmy are formal words, and both are more likely to be used in informal or colloquial contexts.
