grin 1 of 2

as in to smile
to express an emotion (as amusement) by curving the lips upward grinned at the kids' fooling around in the pool

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

grin

2 of 2

noun

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of grin
Verb
Díaz savored this one, flashing a big grin after the throw sent him across the grass, headfirst. Tom Krasovic, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 June 2025 The news broke just as he was being interviewed in New York for Fanatics Fest, with the 14-time All-Star letting out a huge grin in front of hundreds of adoring fans. Kelly Iko, New York Times, 22 June 2025
Noun
There’s the A-list reckless elder, his upstart protegee (Damson Idris) and a high-octane mission that’s damn near impossible, with lots of speedy action intercut with scenes of its alpha male movie star out of his helmet and grinning for fans. Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 26 June 2025 In one, Kate Belleville, an environmental scientist with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, kneels in a forest, grinning at eight tiny frogs in her hands. Ari Daniel, NPR, 11 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for grin
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grin
Verb
  • Robbie Williams greets the crowd before the FIFA Club World Cup final match at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on July 13. Justin Timberlake smiles onstage while performing his set at the Lollapalooza Berlin Music festival in Germany on July 12.
    Toria Sheffield, People.com, 14 July 2025
  • From left: Charles Kim Haskell smiles in hospital; and is pushed in a wheelchair.
    Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • The Plague is exquisitely cast, from the Nickelodeon star smirk of ringleader Jake (Kayo Martin) to his cohen target Eli (Kenny Rasmussen), a genuine oddball.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 27 May 2025
  • But watching a group of roughnecks on a rig in grubby overalls moving huge, long steel pipes, Dugan's smile begins to fade to a smirk.
    Kirk Siegler, NPR, 24 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • The boy, too young to grasp the danger, was playing and laughing; a fleeting moment of innocence, juxtaposed against the backdrop of war.
    Andy Meek, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025
  • Asked by a reporter this week to describe the journey of her tennis career, Amanda Anisimova paused, then laughed.
    Becky Sullivan, NPR, 11 July 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Grin.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grin. Accessed 24 Jul. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on grin

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!