GRINNED Synonyms: 16 Similar and Opposite Words

grinned

verb

past tense of grin

as in smiled

to express an emotion (as amusement) by curving the lips upward grinned at the kids' fooling around in the pool

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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 grinned 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 In 2014, Josh Brolin appeared in Hall H, slipped on the Infinity Gauntlet, and grinned. — Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 26 July 2026 Bo grinned, staring at the pale-blue walls of the large classroom. — Min Jin Lee, New Yorker, 19 July 2026 But the real star of her segment were her adorable backup dancers, the Ugandan dance troupe Ghetto Kids, who grinned throughout the number. — Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 19 July 2026 When a media assistant grinned, Stephan laughed, saying federation president Philippe Diallo had almost hinted at Zidane’s appointment in previous days. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 16 July 2026 Rabbi Eli Schlanger leaned back in his chair, sighed and grinned like a kid. — John Blake, CNN Money, 5 July 2026 In the selfie video, Valentina grinned into the camera wearing a gold choker and gold hoops as her mother hugged her from behind. — Meg Walters, InStyle, 30 June 2026 Wheeler grinned before Hill exchanged high-fives and chest bumps with right fielder Brandon Marsh. — CBS News, 26 June 2026

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grinned

Verb

Even Sirianni smiled when a reporter referenced the line after the game.

— Zach Berman, New York Times, 23 Aug. 2026
When the video ended, a camera panned to Devers, who smiled and waved to his former fanbase.

— Justice delos Santos, Mercury News, 22 Aug. 2026

Definition of smiled

Verb

Nabil and Sliman laughed at how the leather soon stank before Nabil could figure it all out.

— Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026
While the Diamondbacks took batting practice before Tuesday’s game, Banister and Berry laughed together while engaging in a friendly conversation at first base that ended in a hug.

— Patrick Mooney, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026

Definition of laughed

Browse Nearby Words

grinds (out)

grinned

grinning

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“Grinned.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grinned. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of grinned

verb

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