as in smiled
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
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 grinned
The pilot, Jonathon Rae, a young Aussie with a dashing mustache, looked down and grinned.
—
Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
The bare-faced mom grinned while snapping a selfie with her baby in a crib behind her.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026
Bidunga grinned when asked about the players dumping water on their coach.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Nov. 2025
Yazid watched the other boys hurrying away, then turned to him and grinned.
—Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
Netanyahu did, then nodded and grinned.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
The remarks were followed by a roughly 30-second standing ovation, including from former Vice President Dick Cheney, as Pelosi grinned in approval.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025
The minister grinned, refused to commit himself, and then stood up for a round of photographs.
—Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
When asked how to manage a defense with two rookie starters, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio held up crossed fingers with both hands and grinned.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Susan Casey, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2026
The bare-faced mom grinned while snapping a selfie with her baby in a crib behind her.
—Raven Brunner, PEOPLE, 1 Jan. 2026
Bidunga grinned when asked about the players dumping water on their coach.
—Kansas City Star, 26 Nov. 2025
Yazid watched the other boys hurrying away, then turned to him and grinned.
—Daniyal Mueenuddin, New Yorker, 23 Nov. 2025
Netanyahu did, then nodded and grinned.
—Aluf Benn, Foreign Affairs, 10 Nov. 2025
The remarks were followed by a roughly 30-second standing ovation, including from former Vice President Dick Cheney, as Pelosi grinned in approval.
—Max Rego, The Hill, 6 Nov. 2025
The minister grinned, refused to commit himself, and then stood up for a round of photographs.
—Samanth Subramanian, The Dial, 14 Oct. 2025
When asked how to manage a defense with two rookie starters, defensive coordinator Vic Fangio held up crossed fingers with both hands and grinned.
—Brooks Kubena, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grinned
Verb
-
In the end, Hannah smiled through her ceremony, and married Brian.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
11 Jan. 2026
-
Earlier this season, cornerback Tyrique Stevenson smiled when asked why players had become so enthused with Johnson.—
Dan Wiederer,
New York Times,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Snoop Dogg called out as the audience laughed.—
Ashley Hume,
FOXNews.com,
13 Jan. 2026
-
The camera also cut to a shot of Martin Short clapping while seated next to his fellow Only Murders in the Building actor Steve Martin, who also laughed at the quip.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
12 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Grinned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grinned. Accessed 18 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
