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
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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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in laughing
Related Words
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Recent Examples of smiling
Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
As an additional response, Zee shared a selfie of herself smiling, showing off her nose in her second Instagram slide.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Leaping boldly is as embedded in Hoda Kotb’s DNA as smiling, loving music and wearing stacks of friendship bracelets.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Yet on Sunday, the two appeared together for the first time since that bitter clash, smiling and shaking hands at Charlie Kirk’s memorial.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Shankman asked the Neighbors actor to stop smiling during his callback, which improved his look.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Thou shalt pose for the cover, ideally smiling and having a casually joyous time.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Ever-smiling and warm, Sister Albertine doesn’t court controversy.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Noun
The princess was also photographed smiling with the president during the banquet.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Sep. 2025
As an additional response, Zee shared a selfie of herself smiling, showing off her nose in her second Instagram slide.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 24 Sep. 2025
Leaping boldly is as embedded in Hoda Kotb’s DNA as smiling, loving music and wearing stacks of friendship bracelets.
—Erin Jensen, USA Today, 23 Sep. 2025
Yet on Sunday, the two appeared together for the first time since that bitter clash, smiling and shaking hands at Charlie Kirk’s memorial.
—Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 22 Sep. 2025
Shankman asked the Neighbors actor to stop smiling during his callback, which improved his look.
—Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 21 Sep. 2025
Thou shalt pose for the cover, ideally smiling and having a casually joyous time.
—Amiel Stanek, Bon Appetit Magazine, 15 Sep. 2025
Ever-smiling and warm, Sister Albertine doesn’t court controversy.
—Joseph Ataman, CNN Money, 15 Sep. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiling
Verb
-
Word, Cali said, still grinning.—
Bryan Washington,
New Yorker,
7 Sep. 2025
-
The small, grinning Labubu plush dolls have exploded in popularity over the summer, with their limited supply, celebrity endorsements and collectible nature driving up bidding prices online.—
J. Kim Murphy,
Variety,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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While Jones’ daughter, Clara, sent her a heartfelt message, Bush Hager's girls, Mila and Poppy, looked less enthusiastic, making their mom burst out laughing.—
Rachel McRady,
PEOPLE,
25 Sep. 2025
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The video shows the passengers laughing at their stroke of luck in getting a dog on their ride.—
Liz O'Connell,
MSNBC Newsweek,
23 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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The post has also attracted over 181,300 likes and a flood of witty comments from amused users imagining the dog's thoughts.—
Lucy Notarantonio,
MSNBC Newsweek,
18 Sep. 2025
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Lanthimos and cinematographer Robbie Ryan stage and shoot said home invasion like a Jacques Tati sequence — that is to say, from an amused, ironic distance that watches humans squirm and scramble without intervention.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
28 Aug. 2025
Adjective
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While others, such as greyhounds, engage in highly competitive sport, wiener dog racing is meant to be a jovial activity strictly for entertainment.—
Tiney Ricciardi,
Denver Post,
11 Sep. 2025
-
McAvoy turned to old friend James Corden, who rocks up as a jovial beatboxing music exec initially sceptical of Silibil N’ Brains’ real roots.—
Alex Ritman,
Variety,
5 Sep. 2025
Adjective
-
Great American Family is making sure that everyone's television screens remain merry and bright this holiday season!—
Emlyn Travis,
Entertainment Weekly,
26 Sep. 2025
-
Big Sur has enjoyed a reputation as a dream destination long before Big Little Lies and its merry band of accidentally murderous suburban mothers came around.—
Elly Leavitt,
Vogue,
20 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Here, the tarantella is by turns gleeful and demonic — a frantic dance of the doomed, whirling through a mist of contemporary clangor.—
Justin Davidson,
Vulture,
22 Sep. 2025
-
The wave of reactions against Kirk is reminiscent of the gleeful celebration of many on the left when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down late last year.—
The Editorial Board,
Oc Register,
14 Sep. 2025
Adjective
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Lily Mathé, one of the orchestra’s best violinists, vividly remembered being made to play jolly tunes in the SS officers’ mess at Auschwitz every evening while the guards ate their dinner.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Sep. 2025
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Instead of its usual jolly cartoons, the channel began broadcasting footage of Russian military parades accompanied by music of the Russian nationalist singer Oleg Gazmanov.—
Tereza Pultarova,
Space.com,
7 Apr. 2025
Adjective
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These cheerful yellow dishes remind us of our grandparents’ tablescapes with colorful arrays of roasted vegetables and desserts filled with fresh berries.—
Caley Sturgill,
Southern Living,
25 Sep. 2025
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Garden statues peeking from behind planters, a vintage wheelbarrow brimming with fall blooms, or even cheerful pinwheels catching the autumn breeze can add charm.—
Angie Hicks,
Boston Herald,
25 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Smiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiling. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.
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