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
Relevance
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
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 smiled
Niners general manager John Lynch smiled when asked about his third-round pick and the matchup.
—
Vic Tafur, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
In the photo, O’Neal smiled widely while Rain posed in front of the former Los Angeles Lakers star and gave the camera the middle finger.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Jenna Ortega sat front row in a cutoff mini, while Jonathan Bailey smiled in a chill denim zip-up.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Nix smiled when told after the game how Payton described the sequence.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
On a saddle between the first and second 13er, Michelle gamely smiled when Ryan snapped the last photo that was ever taken of her, hiking along the ridge backdropped by the mountain’s famous east face with the Bowl of Tears shimmering far below.
—Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
Officers smiled and apologized for the inconvenience.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Vic Tafur, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2025
In the photo, O’Neal smiled widely while Rain posed in front of the former Los Angeles Lakers star and gave the camera the middle finger.
—Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE, 1 Oct. 2025
Jenna Ortega sat front row in a cutoff mini, while Jonathan Bailey smiled in a chill denim zip-up.
—Arden Fanning Andrews, Vogue, 1 Oct. 2025
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
Nix smiled when told after the game how Payton described the sequence.
—Parker Gabriel, Denver Post, 30 Sep. 2025
On a saddle between the first and second 13er, Michelle gamely smiled when Ryan snapped the last photo that was ever taken of her, hiking along the ridge backdropped by the mountain’s famous east face with the Bowl of Tears shimmering far below.
—Ted Katauskas, Outside, 23 Sep. 2025
Officers smiled and apologized for the inconvenience.
—Bart Jansen, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiled
Verb
-
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
-
Surtain grinned on Thursday when asked if Chase would want revenge.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
26 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Reporters in the Brady Room earlier this week were greeted by the meme on a loop; the vice president, addressing them on the shutdown, laughed at Democrats who were offended by the trope.—
David Weigel,
semafor.com,
3 Oct. 2025
-
But sticking it out ended up being beneficial, because those classmates who laughed at his antics became his first audience.—
Essence,
Essence,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiled. Accessed 7 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share