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
Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
Posed with a slight smile, the now 8-year-old has shed the long, bouncy curls Drake fans had grown accustomed to.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
After more typical posing and smiling together, Black hit the ground to post next to Watts’ star.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smile
Verb
The anticipation of being back in Dallas the day after his birthday produced a slight smile.
—Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 13 Oct. 2025
Posed with a slight smile, the now 8-year-old has shed the long, bouncy curls Drake fans had grown accustomed to.
—Demicia Inman, VIBE.com, 13 Oct. 2025
Noun
The younger woman smiling coyly, as if with a secret, while the older of the two, still young herself, anxious and polite, looks at the strange columns in the kitchen, trying not to be rude about it.
—Literary Hub, 14 Oct. 2025
After more typical posing and smiling together, Black hit the ground to post next to Watts’ star.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for smile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smile
Verb
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Jameson grinned in the photo as his proud dad snapped his picture.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
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The minister grinned, refused to commit himself, and then stood up for a round of photographs.—
Samanth Subramanian,
The Dial,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Years later, my mother laughed at this attitude of mine.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
20 Oct. 2025
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Victoria asks her husband, laughing.—
Toria Sheffield,
PEOPLE,
20 Oct. 2025
Noun
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In the quarter millennium since, scholars and activists have in different ways done their damnedest to wipe the smirk off his face.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
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Coach Ben Johnson began Week 6 with a smirk when asked about the position.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smile. Accessed 22 Oct. 2025.
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