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
Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Staffers will insist with a smile that the broth doesn’t really need it.
—Bao Ong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
The Scrub Daddy costume features the brand’s iconic smiling face and bold yellow color.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smile
Verb
Don’t be pushy, show your gratitude, be open-minded, smile, greet people by their first name, learn what interests them and, most of all, have a sense of humor.
—Rolling Stone Culture Council, Rolling Stone, 23 Sep. 2025
Staffers will insist with a smile that the broth doesn’t really need it.
—Bao Ong, Bon Appetit Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025
Noun
Although Hill smiled and waved as the cart took him off the field, the severity of the injury was apparent.
—Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2025
The Scrub Daddy costume features the brand’s iconic smiling face and bold yellow color.
—Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smile
Verb
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Surtain grinned on Thursday when asked if Chase would want revenge.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
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Lori, who wore a black two-piece bikini, grinned ear-to-ear while taking a dip in the water with the F1 star.—
Colson Thayer,
PEOPLE,
20 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The audience laughed, then a few hours later, its minds and anxieties provoked, spilled out into the warm September air a little heavier for the wear.—
Steven Zeitchik,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Sep. 2025
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Potter was able to laugh about it at a press conference on Friday, a pointless briefing given he was sacked the following morning.—
Phil Hay,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
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John Lunn’s soaring score makes shots of Highclere Castle, which stands in for Downton Abbey, particularly magical; Anna Robbins’s luxurious costumes, all satin, lace, and brocade, are once again gorgeous; Nivola’s smirk is a welcome bit of Yankee attitude.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Sep. 2025
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Hedda’s smirk speaks volumes as the film flashes back to that fateful night.—
Damon Wise,
Deadline,
9 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smile. Accessed 2 Oct. 2025.
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