grin hideously; smirk sycophantically
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesverb
to grin hideously; to sneer; to smile with malicious intent
literaryDescribes a frightening, cruel, or sinister smile, often associated with villains or threatening situations. Conveys a sense of menace or evil intent.
Xiōng凶
shǒu手
níng狞
xiào笑
zhe着
jǔ举
qǐ起
le了
dāo刀
。
The murderer raised his knife with a sinister grin.
Tā他
zuǐ嘴
jiǎo角
guà挂
zhe着
yī一
sī丝
níng狞
xiào笑
。
A hint of a cruel smirk hung at the corner of his mouth.
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Dí敌
rén人
níng狞
xiào笑
de地
kàn看
zhe着
fú俘
lǔ虏
。
The enemy looked at the prisoners with a hideous grin.
verb
to smile ingratiatingly; to smirk sycophantically
literaryDescribes an obsequious, flattering smile intended to please someone in power. This sense is less common than the 'sinister' meaning and often carries a negative connotation of flattery or fawning.
Tā他
duì对
shàng上
sī司
níng狞
xiào笑
féng逢
yíng迎
。
He ingratiated himself with his superiors with obsequious smiles.
Nà那
chǎn谄
mèi媚
de的
níng狞
xiào笑
ràng让
rén人
zuò作
ǒu呕
。
That sycophantic smirk was nauseating.