1
as in grinned
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 laughed
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 smiled
In the moment, Peterson nodded, smiled and took in the scene.
—
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
Men wearing gray jumpsuits from ICE detention smiled and thanked then-President Nicolás Maduro, showed another.
—Maeva Bambuck, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
In the before photos, Turner smiled widely with ease, but afterward, her smile seemed more subdued.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
In the Kardashian-Jenner version, Jenner, in a plunging black dress, played the part of Loren, gazing over at Kardashian who smiled at the camera in a blonde wig and plunging white silk dress.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
The pair first announced their engagement in 2016, with Wiley sharing a photo of herself wearing an engagement ring as Morelli smiled beside her.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Even as a Black person who smiled ear to ear when Black people fought for laughter with the mighty pressure of their jaws.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Maxey found Embiid for an alley-oop dunk late in the first half and Maxey jumped up and down with excitement as both players smiled toward Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who led the Sixers for three seasons.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Joe subtly smiled, like a Western Pennsylvania dad after his kid just lowered his shoulder and pushed the pile forward into the end zone.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Shreyas Laddha, Kansas City Star, 3 Feb. 2026
Men wearing gray jumpsuits from ICE detention smiled and thanked then-President Nicolás Maduro, showed another.
—Maeva Bambuck, CNN Money, 1 Feb. 2026
In the before photos, Turner smiled widely with ease, but afterward, her smile seemed more subdued.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 31 Jan. 2026
In the Kardashian-Jenner version, Jenner, in a plunging black dress, played the part of Loren, gazing over at Kardashian who smiled at the camera in a blonde wig and plunging white silk dress.
—Meg Walters, InStyle, 31 Jan. 2026
The pair first announced their engagement in 2016, with Wiley sharing a photo of herself wearing an engagement ring as Morelli smiled beside her.
—Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 30 Jan. 2026
Even as a Black person who smiled ear to ear when Black people fought for laughter with the mighty pressure of their jaws.
—Literary Hub, 28 Jan. 2026
Maxey found Embiid for an alley-oop dunk late in the first half and Maxey jumped up and down with excitement as both players smiled toward Bucks coach Doc Rivers, who led the Sixers for three seasons.
—CBS News, 28 Jan. 2026
Joe subtly smiled, like a Western Pennsylvania dad after his kid just lowered his shoulder and pushed the pile forward into the end zone.
—Mike Defabo, New York Times, 28 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiled
Verb
-
Ed, who was in his 60s, grinned.—
Nick Dothée,
Los Angeles Times,
30 Jan. 2026
-
As red and white confetti rained down onto the field at Hard Rock Stadium Monday night, Indiana head coach Curt Cignetti — known for his stern demeanor on the field — widely grinned towards his players and coaches knowing his team had done what many previously thought was impossible.—
Greg Rosenstein,
NBC news,
20 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
While none of the Alexanders appeared to crack any smiles, Agnifilo laughed along gamely when the judge and prospective jurors exchanged jokes to lighten a tense mood.—
Dan Adler,
Vanity Fair,
27 Jan. 2026
-
During their visit to the working handweaving studio, the Princess of Wales laughed and placed a hand on her husband's arm.—
Janine Henni,
PEOPLE,
21 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Smiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiled. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
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