From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishsmarmysmarm‧y /ˈsmɑːmi $ -ɑːr-/ adjective FRIENDLY#polite in an insincere way – used to show disapproval smarmy comments a smarmy car salesman
Examples from the Corpus
smarmy• Andy Williams, of course, was always smug and smarmy.• He's been criticized for his smarmy behavior when interviewing celebrities.• This is not just a smarmy pep talk but an unflinching discussion of real angst and a real adjustment process.• a slick, smarmy public relations officer• They warned that politicians, once infused with a sense of providential mission, could morph into smarmy tyrants.• He fooled us with his soft smarmy ways.• Miss Green didn't take her in, did she, with her soft, smarmy ways?Origin smarmy (1900-2000) smarm “(to behave with) insincere politeness” ((19-21 centuries)), of unknown origin 