1
as in to grin
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
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in to laugh
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 smile
Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Newsom touted the effort in his 2024 salmon strategy, which featured a smiling photograph of Winnemem Wintu Chief and spiritual leader Caleen Sisk next to Chuck Bonham, then-director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
When Rachel is driving off, that little smile at the end stood out.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smile
Verb
Her friends were waiting on the sidewalk, smiling and holding hands.
—Catherine Lacey, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Newsom touted the effort in his 2024 salmon strategy, which featured a smiling photograph of Winnemem Wintu Chief and spiritual leader Caleen Sisk next to Chuck Bonham, then-director of the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
—Rachel Becker, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
Giddey gave a bemused nod, then a smile.
—Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune, 28 Mar. 2026
When Rachel is driving off, that little smile at the end stood out.
—William Earl, Variety, 28 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for smile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smile
Verb
-
Hill appeared to grin in his booking photo.—
Chantz Martin,
FOXNews.com,
2 Apr. 2026
-
Swift flashed her old mine brilliant cut ring to the camera while Kelce grinned wide.—
Bryan West,
USA Today,
27 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
New rom-com 'The Drama' is no laughing matterNeed a news break?—
Patrick Ryan,
USA Today,
4 Apr. 2026
-
Then last Tuesday in the Brewers-Rays game, Bucknor blew a call at first base that was so obviously wrong, both managers could be seen laughing at the replay on the scoreboard.—
Bill Madden,
New York Daily News,
4 Apr. 2026
Noun
-
Barcelona, created by a small group of rock-and-roll writers from Buenos Aires, approached news stories from Argentina and around the world with a smirk.—
Livia Gershon,
JSTOR Daily,
27 Mar. 2026
-
Gates, no relation to Antonio, offers a shrug and a smirk.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
20 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smile. Accessed 6 Apr. 2026.
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