SMILED Synonyms: 49 Similar and Opposite Words

smiled

verb

past tense of smile

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

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

as in laughed

to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions smiled at their ridiculous antics and walked away in disgust

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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 smiled For the first five minutes of the Cure‘s headlining set at Øyafestivalen in Oslo, Norway, Robert Smith stared out at the packed crowd and smiled. — Ellise Shafer, Variety, 13 Aug. 2026 In the snap, Melvin’s daughter Sybil stood in front of her brother and smiled, wearing a lavender polo tank top and leaning into her dad. — Hannah Sacks, PEOPLE, 13 Aug. 2026 As the onslaught crested, JD waved and smiled; Usha stayed seated beside him, her focus calm and straight ahead. — Kate Andersen Brower, Vanity Fair, 12 Aug. 2026 Fresh fruit and a row of limes were spread across the table in front of them as the two smiled at each other. — Danielle Minnetian, FOXNews.com, 10 Aug. 2026 One involves a soccer player from Southeast Asia who never smiled or spoke. — Chase Jordan august 7, Charlotte Observer, 7 Aug. 2026 The singer smiled and flipped her hair for the camera while the boat made its way through a tunnel. — Edward Segarra, USA Today, 4 Aug. 2026 Side by side, the resemblance between the duo was striking as the father and son smiled for photographers on their way into the event. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Aug. 2026 Frederick smiled as Snow then led the crowd in cheers and a toast to the mayor. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Aug. 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiled

Verb

In one pic, the family of four posed together on the beach with Sybil sporting a playful pout while the rest of the bunch grinned.

— Rachel McRady, PEOPLE, 27 July 2026
In 2014, Josh Brolin appeared in Hall H, slipped on the Infinity Gauntlet, and grinned.

— Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026

Definition of grinned

Verb

My whole life, my father had brightened at the sight of me, laughed at my jokes, and advised my brother, three years younger, to follow my example.

— Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 Aug. 2026
The crowd cheered at the joke as Duff laughed on stage, clearly impressing fans with her NBA knowledge.

— Kaitlyn McCormick, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2026

Definition of laughed

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smile

smiled

smiles

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“Smiled.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiled. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of smiled

verb

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