as in laughing
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1
as in grinning
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
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sneering
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions
smiled at their ridiculous antics and walked away in disgust
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of smiling
Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Umanmielen responded with a GIF of a smiling, but famously blind, Stevie Wonder.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Her other son could be seen smiling as Brayden hugged him.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Among the reactions that survived, one user posted a thumbs up emoji and another left a smiling face.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
In 1972, the ever-smiling mother of a family band struggles to keep the family’s TV variety show and wholesome image going when Dad doesn’t turn up to the season finale taping.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
My smiling face on every poster for sleep-apnea studies.
—Cora Frazier, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Coaches and players were seen smiling, but kept stoic expressions, as the president spoke.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Editor Zach Clark intercuts the intimate scenes between Aaron and Hank with home video footage of little boys smiling and playing.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Adjective
As Thomas’ parents, Katina Smith and Bobby Thomas, unveiled their son’s smiling statue in the Broncos’ Ring of Fame Plaza last Sunday, as scores of his former teammates looked on in sadness and joy, Miller was 800 miles away in Dallas, gearing up for a game against the Cowboys.
—Luca Evans, Denver Post, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
There was a lot of nervous smiling.
—Raechal Shewfelt, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Oct. 2025
Umanmielen responded with a GIF of a smiling, but famously blind, Stevie Wonder.
—Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 25 Sep. 2025
Verb
These are uncontroversial jokes that aim to bring people together and get everyone chuckling or smiling along.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
Her other son could be seen smiling as Brayden hugged him.
—Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 5 Nov. 2025
Among the reactions that survived, one user posted a thumbs up emoji and another left a smiling face.
—Chris Lau, CNN Money, 4 Nov. 2025
In 1972, the ever-smiling mother of a family band struggles to keep the family’s TV variety show and wholesome image going when Dad doesn’t turn up to the season finale taping.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 4 Nov. 2025
My smiling face on every poster for sleep-apnea studies.
—Cora Frazier, New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2025
Coaches and players were seen smiling, but kept stoic expressions, as the president spoke.
—Jackson Thompson, FOXNews.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Editor Zach Clark intercuts the intimate scenes between Aaron and Hank with home video footage of little boys smiling and playing.
—Jourdain Searles, HollywoodReporter, 28 Oct. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiling
Noun
-
From inside, the sound of music and laughing.—
Lizz Schumer,
PEOPLE,
26 Sep. 2025
-
The laughing and stuff wasn’t written into it.—
Kimberly Roots,
TVLine,
5 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Next to Wilson, his son Finn, 11, was pictured wearing an LAFC jersey and grinning.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
30 Oct. 2025
-
The water-resistant design features a grinning bird in a pilgrim hat perched atop a giant pumpkin adorned with a festive greeting.—
Mariana Best,
Better Homes & Gardens,
25 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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The candid clip has led to plenty of amused reactions from viewers.—
Melissa Fleur Afshar,
MSNBC Newsweek,
31 Oct. 2025
-
But it's so often used to mean amused, some dictionaries now include that meaning.—
Kathy and Ross Petrass,
CNBC,
23 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
The Hornets for all of their intense in-game play are often a jovial lot.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
19 Oct. 2025
-
In another vignette, Swift is part of a Supremes-like girl group entertaining a speakeasy full of jovial patrons.—
Lauren Huff,
Entertainment Weekly,
6 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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But don’t let the tragic tale color your impression of the Park; during the holidays its annual Christmas at the Falls event transforms the area into one of the merriest and brightest spots around.—
Jennifer Stewart Kornegay,
Southern Living,
4 Nov. 2025
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To usher in the return of all things merry and bright, Dunkin' is integrating a handful of new items to its holiday menu.—
Amaris Encinas,
USA Today,
29 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Kunstnernes Hus has a café, and that day it was filled with groups of hip-looking mothers and their gleeful toddlers; a few lone guys, in jeans and sneakers, tapped on laptops.—
Margaret Talbot,
New Yorker,
3 Nov. 2025
-
The names go on and on, a gleeful send-up of what was, at the time of its premiere in 1997, the peak of sophistication.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
31 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Choose between five jolly patterns, including this adorable stationery-esque bow and Christmas tree option (pictured).—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
29 Oct. 2025
-
Gordon helped transform The Rizzler, a jolly 9-year-old, into this generation’s Shirley Temple.—
Taylor Lorenz,
HollywoodReporter,
20 Oct. 2025
Adjective
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Cheeky faux finishes played a big part in realizing that vision, as did cheerful color washing.—
Elizabeth Kiefer,
Architectural Digest,
6 Nov. 2025
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The account has already attracted over 63,000 followers, many of whom originally believed the cheerful residents were real.—
Ashley Vega,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiling. Accessed 9 Nov. 2025.
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