smiles 1 of 2

verb

present tense third-person singular of smile
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

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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

smiles

2 of 2

noun

plural of smile
as in frowns

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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 smiles
Verb
Praise for Selldorf and her award-winning renovation was shown through clinking glasses, applause, and smiles around the room, as waiters in single file arrived with decadent dishes. — Eliza Jordan, Vogue, 21 Oct. 2026 Incoming Phoenix Suns owner Mat Ishbia smiles during the game between the Detroit Pistons and Phoenix Suns at Little Caesars Arena on February 04, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. — Alex Sherman, CNBC, 16 Oct. 2026 Though Jay smiles while reading the note, the contents are not revealed to the audience. — Patrick Gomez, Entertainment Weekly, 16 Oct. 2026 Cow figurines line his desk, and an ice cream statuette with his face smiles from the windowsill. — Natalie Hoy, Southern Living, 15 Oct. 2026 Through it all, Calvin Robinson takes the pictures and smiles with pride as his son celebrates with his teammates. — Mcclain Baxley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 12 Oct. 2026 In the first slide, Joanna poses for a selfie during a scenic hike as Chip smiles big while standing behind her. — Natalia Senanayake, PEOPLE, 21 Sep. 2026 Jean posts a photograph of her sister; Margaret's warm brown face smiles down from the outside of the building. — Nicole Avery Nichols, Freep.com, 11 Sep. 2026 In the photo, Throssell smiles while standing at a booth in front of a Lenexa Farmers Market banner. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 2026
Noun
Genuine smiles and laughter Don't read too much into an initial polite smile. — Jeff Haden, CNBC, 9 July 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiles
  1. grins
  2. laughs
  3. frowns
  4. grimaces
Verb
  • In a third photo pulled up on a phone, a young Bruce Aiken grins at the camera in his green park service uniform while working to keep the Roaring Springs pumphouse running.
    — Joan Meiners, AZCentral.com, 31 Aug. 2026
  • Schoenaerts menacingly grins his way through the movie, with appealingly bulging eyes.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 24 June 2026
Definition of grins
Verb
  • When Lovat basically laughs at him for throwing everything away for a woman, Brian drops a sassy line about still having his conscience when all this is through and then rides off with Ellen to warn Dougal what’s coming.
    — Maggie Fremont, Vulture, 9 Oct. 2026
  • When that occasionally happens, Sheeran laughs it off and starts over.
    — Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of laughs
Noun
  • Numbers might be up, but frowns are also up.
    — Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
  • No smiles, no frowns, no fluctuations of body warmth.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 8 June 2026
Definition of frowns
Noun
  • Tommy is already a natural punk with his grimaces, British vocal inflections and wide-eyed expressions behind the drum kit.
    — Jane Tyska, Mercury News, 26 Aug. 2026
  • Back at the team bus, the high fives and handshakes wore grimaces.
    — Jacob Whitehead, New York Times, 22 July 2026
Definition of grimaces

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Cite this Entry

“Smiles.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiles. Accessed 28 Oct. 2026.

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