1
as in grins
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 laughs
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
Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Harden is more low-key and rarely smiles in interviews.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
When the topic of his age comes up, Nick Baumgartner smiles.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Throughout the compilation of clips, Kristy smiles and smolders in the mirror while using a bottle of the luxury brand's Libre Berry Crush perfume.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The cheerful doorman smiles warmly and helps you with your things.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The young biker leans back and smiles at Gately and gives an affable shrug and blatts away, a halter top’s tits mashed against his back.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Because Andy’s playing the kind of nemesis that smiles at you and puts his hand on you, almost politician-like.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
Struber smiles and shakes his head.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Verb
Armed with a new perspective from her two-year retirement, Liu now smiles genuinely on and off the ice, no matter if there’s a medal around her neck or not.
—Los Angeles Times, 5 Feb. 2026
Harden is more low-key and rarely smiles in interviews.
—Janis Carr, Oc Register, 5 Feb. 2026
When the topic of his age comes up, Nick Baumgartner smiles.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 30 Jan. 2026
Throughout the compilation of clips, Kristy smiles and smolders in the mirror while using a bottle of the luxury brand's Libre Berry Crush perfume.
—Zoey Lyttle, PEOPLE, 27 Jan. 2026
The cheerful doorman smiles warmly and helps you with your things.
—Forbes Travel Guide, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
The young biker leans back and smiles at Gately and gives an affable shrug and blatts away, a halter top’s tits mashed against his back.
—Hermione Hoby, New Yorker, 26 Jan. 2026
Because Andy’s playing the kind of nemesis that smiles at you and puts his hand on you, almost politician-like.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 18 Jan. 2026
Struber smiles and shakes his head.
—Stuart James, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiles
Verb
-
Ryan grins down, then kisses him.—
Natalia Winkelman,
IndieWire,
24 Jan. 2026
-
This was an emotional and physical meat grinder of a contest, though the first-year Hornets mentor was all grins afterward.—
Joe Davidson,
Sacbee.com,
18 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
TikTokers around the world are racking up likes and laughs with their impressions of owls.—
Saleen Martin,
USA Today,
27 Jan. 2026
-
Nahmias turned 33 on January 7; and while many other Millennials—the generation of the overwhelmed and overstimulated—would show frustration with the noise, Nahmias laughs it off.—
José Criales-Unzueta,
Vanity Fair,
20 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those surrounding the bride stood up and began clapping, their frowns shifting to wide smiles.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
If only humans kept their expressions to cartoonishly clear frowns and smiles.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Ask anyone in Teahupo’o about that thing, and expect grimaces and shaking heads.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 July 2024
Cite this Entry
“Smiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiles. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
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