1
as in laughs
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 sneers
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
Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Maggie also smiles tolerantly when Hank keeps his hand on her knee for a few beats too many, or leans in close during chats.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
There's room for laughs amid the tears and smiles amid the frowns.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
In one photo, the president smiles and appears to be gesturing toward Jeffries.
—Jesse Byrnes, The Hill, 1 Oct. 2025
Elmer Lucille Allen smiles from a mural painted in her honor on a building along Jackson Street in Smoketown.
—Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Romain Grosjean smiles in the paddock during the Sprint/qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 19, 2024 in Austin, United States.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
The late Saget, who died in 2022, smiles bashfully next to a young Bure in one of them.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Luffy, the series’ protagonist, is a cheerful character who smiles through adversity.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Noun
Lo sets the phone down and smiles just before the credits start to roll.
—Keith Langston, PEOPLE, 11 Oct. 2025
Maggie also smiles tolerantly when Hank keeps his hand on her knee for a few beats too many, or leans in close during chats.
—David Fear, Rolling Stone, 9 Oct. 2025
There's room for laughs amid the tears and smiles amid the frowns.
—David Oliver, USA Today, 7 Oct. 2025
In one photo, the president smiles and appears to be gesturing toward Jeffries.
—Jesse Byrnes, The Hill, 1 Oct. 2025
Elmer Lucille Allen smiles from a mural painted in her honor on a building along Jackson Street in Smoketown.
—Matthew Glowicki, Louisville Courier Journal, 25 Sep. 2025
Romain Grosjean smiles in the paddock during the Sprint/qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 19, 2024 in Austin, United States.
—Saajan Jogia, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Sep. 2025
The late Saget, who died in 2022, smiles bashfully next to a young Bure in one of them.
—Lauren Huff, Entertainment Weekly, 23 Sep. 2025
Luffy, the series’ protagonist, is a cheerful character who smiles through adversity.
—Lex Harvey, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiles
Verb
-
How to Make the Halloween Decor Goofy grins and exaggerated eyes add childlike wonder to your Halloween decorating.—
Kathy Barnes,
Better Homes & Gardens,
18 Oct. 2025
-
Panahi grins when moments of physical comedy land.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
14 Oct. 2025
Verb
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The average kid laughs 300 times a day and average adult, only 17.—
Bill Hoogterp,
Fortune,
19 Oct. 2025
-
The man behind the camera laughs at the absurdity of the scene before continuing to tell the man to leave.—
Jade Jackson,
IndyStar,
19 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
There's room for laughs amid the tears and smiles amid the frowns.—
David Oliver,
USA Today,
7 Oct. 2025
-
Over the course of an hour, a virtuosic guitarist, a singer, and three dancers performed a program of mournful music and percussive dance, their faces set in serious frowns—an integral part of the performance.—
Fiona Mozley,
Travel + Leisure,
4 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiles. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.
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