SMILE Synonyms: 72 Similar and Opposite Words

smile 1 of 2

verb

ˈsmī(-ə)l

Definition of smile

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

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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

smile

2 of 2

noun

as in grin

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of smile

Verb

Banks appeared in good spirits Monday, smiling with his lawyers, including Drew Findling, Christy O’Connor, and Brian Steel. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 24 Aug. 2026 As Piper writes, Blunt was spotted with Panettiere at the amfAR charity event in Cannes in 2009, and photographed smiling with her on a boat the next day. — Leigh Blickley, Entertainment Weekly, 24 Aug. 2026

Noun

Winters are long here, bringing a smile to the faces of winter sports enthusiasts. — Allison Tibaldi, USA Today, 25 Aug. 2026 Duffy, for his part, came across as a real jerk at times, but surprisingly charming at others, with a half-nerd, half-jock mien—sweepy hair, big glasses, a megawatt smile—that put me in mind of a Wisconsin Sam Seaborn. — Jon Allsop, New Yorker, 23 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for smile

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smile

Verb

But what differentiates them from some of their peers is the unyielding pace of their live shows, all of it delivered with the grinning joy of playing rock ‘n’ roll.

— Melissa Ruggieri, USA Today, 18 Aug. 2026
In one photo, the family of four posed together on the beach with Sybil sporting a playful pout while the rest of the bunch grinned.

— Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026

Definition of grin

Noun

Orlando Bloom flashes a shirtless smirk while on vacation in Marmi, Italy on July 26.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of smirk

Browse Nearby Words

smidgens

smile

smiled

See all Nearby Words

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Style

“Smile.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smile. Accessed 28 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of smile

verb

noun

Example Sentences

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