1
as in grinned
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 laughed
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 smiled
As Brady read the sentence, Snyder’s family cried silently and church friends smiled.
—
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The actress threw up a peace sign for the camera while Ramirez smiled with his arm around Alba's waist.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Poole smiled when he was told about George’s comments, as well as hearing what Coulibaly and Sarr said about what Poole meant to them.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Fortune smiled on Justin Weitzman.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere in the Instagram carousel, Alba posed for a selfie with a margarita in hand, smiled alongside two of her kids, and shared two self-help mantras for March courtesy of We The Urban.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
The naturalists smiled tightly.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Her child smiled, sat down, and then started eating.
—Vicki Glembocki, Parents, 28 Feb. 2026
After the ball kissed off the glass and went in, the 7-footer smiled broadly.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Alexandra Kukulka, Chicago Tribune, 10 Mar. 2026
The actress threw up a peace sign for the camera while Ramirez smiled with his arm around Alba's waist.
—Edward Segarra, USA Today, 9 Mar. 2026
Poole smiled when he was told about George’s comments, as well as hearing what Coulibaly and Sarr said about what Poole meant to them.
—Josh Robbins, New York Times, 9 Mar. 2026
Fortune smiled on Justin Weitzman.
—Edward Lee, Baltimore Sun, 8 Mar. 2026
Elsewhere in the Instagram carousel, Alba posed for a selfie with a margarita in hand, smiled alongside two of her kids, and shared two self-help mantras for March courtesy of We The Urban.
—Emma Banks, InStyle, 4 Mar. 2026
The naturalists smiled tightly.
—Yiyun Li, New Yorker, 1 Mar. 2026
Her child smiled, sat down, and then started eating.
—Vicki Glembocki, Parents, 28 Feb. 2026
After the ball kissed off the glass and went in, the 7-footer smiled broadly.
—Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiled
Verb
-
Related Stories Spielberg grinned as the audience broke out into laughter and cheers.—
Selome Hailu,
Variety,
13 Mar. 2026
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Standing in the visiting dressing room at PPG Paints Arena on Thursday morning, Sabres alternate captain Alex Tuch grinned when asked about how the group is handling the trade rumors as a contending team as opposed to one that is selling.—
Matthew Fairburn,
New York Times,
6 Mar. 2026
Verb
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When asked if the news was indeed true, Roach laughed.—
Anna Kaufman,
USA Today,
10 Mar. 2026
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Fallon, in turn, gave Curtis a deadpan look as the audience laughed.—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
5 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiled. Accessed 17 Mar. 2026.
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