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
Synonyms & Similar Words
as in grin
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Examples Sentences
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Recent Examples of smile
Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Rival specialty distributor Searchlight Pictures is also smiling.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Dec. 2024
Bill Marsh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
The volunteer stops speaking, and a slow, maniacal smile spreads across his face.
—Kathryn Kvas, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smile 
Verb
But the basketball gods finally smiled upon the Bruins.
—Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024
Rival specialty distributor Searchlight Pictures is also smiling.
—Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 28 Dec. 2024
Noun
Indiana supporters built a 13-foot tall version sporting their candidate’s megawatt smile, now located at a roadside spot in Plains.
—Bill Marsh, New York Times, 31 Dec. 2024
The volunteer stops speaking, and a slow, maniacal smile spreads across his face.
—Kathryn Kvas, The New Yorker, 31 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for smile
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smile
Verb
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Both movies feature a killer clown, but while Joaquin Phoenix’s grinning menace suffers from delusions of grandeur and an unspecified mental illness, the hideous ghoul from hell in Terrifier known as Art hacks away at his victims with no discernible motivation beyond the grisly acts themselves.Eric Kohn, The Hollywood Reporter, 6 Jan. 2025
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Both chimps and pop stars are prone to destroying furniture and grinning while ripping off your face.Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 24 Dec. 2024
Verb
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That shared experience of laughing together helps both of us find relaxation.Amanda Schupak, New York Times, 13 Jan. 2025
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Others immediately call their sisters, leaving the girls—and TikTok audiences—laughing.Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 10 Jan. 2025
Noun
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Alexander said with a smirk during the postgame news conference.Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 19 Dec. 2024
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It is dipped in Grinch-green icing with a frosting smirk, tuft of hair and the classic yellow eyes.Sabrina Weiss, People.com, 25 Nov. 2024
Thesaurus Entries Near smile
Cite this Entry
“Smile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smile. Accessed 18 Jan. 2025.
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