smiling 1 of 3

adjective

Definition of smilingnext
as in laughing

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smiling

2 of 3

noun

as in cheering

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

smiling

3 of 3

verb

present participle of smile
1
as in grinning
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

Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in sneering
to express scornful amusement by means of facial contortions smiled at their ridiculous antics and walked away in disgust

Synonyms & Similar Words

Examples Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for smiling
  1. laughing
  2. amused
  3. jovial
  4. merry
  5. gleeful
  6. jolly
  7. cheerful
  8. cheery
Verb
  • Zuckerberg, the world's second-richest person, shared Chan's laughing reaction to the song on his Instagram story.
    Gabriella Rudy, NBC News, 14 Nov. 2024
  • Another cute photo shows Legend laughing while his daughter Luna wraps her arms around her dad.
    Emma Aerin Becker, People.com, 21 Oct. 2024
Definition of laughing
Adjective
  • While Morrissey initially seemed amused, he was forced to leave when a few overly eager fans inadvertently knocked him to the ground.
    Jessica Lynch, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024
  • Of course, the vice president is aware, and not amused, that Kate’s estranged husband, the adorably Machiavellian Hal (Rufus Sewell), is maneuvering to have Kate made veep.
    Tom Gliatto, People.com, 31 Oct. 2024
Definition of amused
Adjective
  • There is something so special and harmonious in using the same hues to warm up the face and accentuate the eyes—especially when the shades are as jovial as Chanel’s Enchanted Night palette, inspired by the northern lights and snowfall.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 27 Nov. 2024
  • The cheery fall aesthetic of the program's seasonal set existed for mere seconds at the top of the live broadcast, before an issue with Joy Behar's chair pierced through the otherwise jovial pre-holiday atmosphere.
    EW.com, EW.com, 27 Nov. 2024
Definition of jovial
Adjective
  • The company is also holding dinners featuring local chefs who incorporate cacao into their meals, a day of merry crafts-making and a festive holiday market with chocolatiers and foragers, among other chocolate-centric things.
    Randy McMullen, The Mercury News, 13 Nov. 2024
  • Krampus Nacht attendees will have the opportunity to drink, be merry and throw axes in a series of challenges—after some practice with a professional.
    Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 21 Oct. 2024
Definition of merry
Adjective
  • Rather, many commenters seem gleeful with hope that the investigation into Combs will take down the many stars who attended his White Parties—events that, for years, symbolized the height of aspirational excess in pop culture.
    Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 28 Oct. 2024
  • But his political focus has an unusually gleeful tone to it, a bro-y pleasure that often lands on a note of happiness, or at least a sense of excitement that he’s gotten away with something fun.
    Kathryn VanArendonk, Vulture, 3 Sep. 2024
Definition of gleeful
Adjective
  • These tunes usually begin to surge in November, as the days following Thanksgiving often signify the official start of the jolliest time of the year.
    Hugh McIntyre, Forbes, 2 Oct. 2024
  • The video is a love letter to Paris as seen through the jolly eyes of Jacquemus, and features a cast of characters and friends (of Nike, Jacquemus, and the designer himself) including Serena Williams, Manu Rios, Central Cee, Carine Roitfeld, Amina Muaddi, and many, many more.
    José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 10 July 2024
Definition of jolly
Adjective
  • The new film, which premiered at the Shanghai Film Festival in June, stars Huang Xiaoming in a transformative performance as a cheerful but mentally challenged man who lives with his nearly 70-year-old mother (Hsiao-Fen Lu).
    Patrick Brzeski, The Hollywood Reporter, 1 Nov. 2024
  • No song was left unturned by this cheerful and nearly perfect sextet.
    Robyn Mowatt, Essence, 30 Oct. 2024
Definition of cheerful
Adjective
  • While his snowy white beard and trademark red cap are certainly cheery on their own, the LED lights are really what put the twinkle in this Santa’s eyes—or rather, the glow in his face.
    Barbara Bellesi Zito, Southern Living, 24 Nov. 2024
  • The mug-and-tray duo features the brand’s signature florals in a cheery color scheme that’s especially lovely at the holidays but timeless enough to use all year.
    Miles Walls, People.com, 23 Nov. 2024
Definition of cheery
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.

Thesaurus Entries Near smiling

smiles

smiling

smilingly

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Cite this Entry

“Smiling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/smiling. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on smiling

Nglish: Translation of smiling for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of smiling for Arabic Speakers

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