1
as in to grin
to express an emotion (as amusement) by curving the lips upward
the soldier smiled in pleasure when he saw the giant sign welcoming him home
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to laugh
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
smiled at their ridiculous antics and walked away in disgust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smile
Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
Today, however, these folks seem to be incapable of smiling while carrying out their governmental duties or speaking to the press or to Congress.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Nik Popli, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Grime Gran asked again with a smile.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smile
Verb
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
Today, however, these folks seem to be incapable of smiling while carrying out their governmental duties or speaking to the press or to Congress.
—Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 7 Jan. 2026
Noun
That race ended with the elder Cuomo coming in second with 40% of the vote—a number the son invoked in his concession speech with a rueful smile.
—Nik Popli, Time, 5 Nov. 2025
Grime Gran asked again with a smile.
—Gabrielle Rockson, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smile
Verb
-
Magician Rob Lake and Kermit the Frog twin and grin at the opening night of Rob Lake Magic with special guests The Muppets!—
Escher Walcott,
PEOPLE,
8 Nov. 2025
-
Minutes before a 10-hour surgical procedure, 8-year-old Olivia Olson sat on a hospital bed grinning.—
David Douglas,
NBC news,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Honestly, my only regret is this thing in the eye [laughs].—
Ingrid Vasquez,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
-
The Ig Nobel Prizes celebrate achievements that make people laugh, then think.—
Scott Lafee,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
6 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
There was no wink, there was no smirk.—
Mike Miller,
Entertainment Weekly,
7 Nov. 2025
-
Fixed with a seemingly permanent half-smile — detractors called it a smirk — Cheney joked about his outsize reputation as a stealthy manipulator.—
Calvin Woodward,
Fortune,
4 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smile. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.
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