1
as in grins
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 laughs
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 smiles
Laura Bradley, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
Brinley, 4, smiles and sends hearts back.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
In the photo, Harry and Lilibet shared both their matching red hair and smiles as Lilibet—clad in a pink ballet outfit—held a bunch of red balloons in the backyard of their Montecito home.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
Kim Mi-jeong or Sarah Kim or Kim Eun-jae or Mok Ga-hui smiles and stays silent.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
An image of the late Juanita Craft, a local civil rights leader, smiles as motorists pass by.
—Aria Jones, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
In grainy eight millimeter footage, a young bride named Yvonne Olsen smiles on the patio, runs down the concrete stairs to the ocean and draws her husband's name in the sand.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Yasmin smiles tightly, almost impatient at having to explain.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Sometimes fortune smiles at you like that.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Verb
His face remains an ever-changing canvas of knowing looks, shifting eyes, and sly smiles, and his comedic timing is sharp as ever.
—Laura Bradley, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
Brinley, 4, smiles and sends hearts back.
—Sydney Page, Washington Post, 19 Feb. 2026
In the photo, Harry and Lilibet shared both their matching red hair and smiles as Lilibet—clad in a pink ballet outfit—held a bunch of red balloons in the backyard of their Montecito home.
—Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 16 Feb. 2026
Kim Mi-jeong or Sarah Kim or Kim Eun-jae or Mok Ga-hui smiles and stays silent.
—Kayti Burt, Time, 13 Feb. 2026
An image of the late Juanita Craft, a local civil rights leader, smiles as motorists pass by.
—Aria Jones, Dallas Morning News, 11 Feb. 2026
In grainy eight millimeter footage, a young bride named Yvonne Olsen smiles on the patio, runs down the concrete stairs to the ocean and draws her husband's name in the sand.
—Bryan West, USA Today, 10 Feb. 2026
Yasmin smiles tightly, almost impatient at having to explain.
—Inkoo Kang, New Yorker, 9 Feb. 2026
Sometimes fortune smiles at you like that.
—Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 7 Feb. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiles
Verb
-
Ryan grins down, then kisses him.—
Natalia Winkelman,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
-
This was an emotional and physical meat grinder of a contest, though the first-year Hornets mentor was all grins afterward.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
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But when the players make plans, Alan Cumming laughs — so even though Rob is particularly well positioned, there’s still plenty of time for things to go left.—
Tom Smyth,
Vulture,
13 Feb. 2026
-
Robbie laughs, despite likely having heard the story before.—
Emily Zemler,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
Those surrounding the bride stood up and began clapping, their frowns shifting to wide smiles.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
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If only humans kept their expressions to cartoonishly clear frowns and smiles.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
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In the video, Claffey tries to move Ansell away from the subject and grimaces at the camera when his costar seems to say a little too much.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
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Ask anyone in Teahupo’o about that thing, and expect grimaces and shaking heads.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Smiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiles. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.
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