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Antonyms for smile

Grammar : Verb
Spell : smahyl
Phonetic Transcription : smaɪl


Definition of smile

Origin :
  • c.1300, perhaps from Middle Low German *smilen or a Scandinavian source (e.g. Danish smile "smile," Swedish smila "smile, smirk, simper, fawn"), from Proto-Germanic *smil-, extended form of PIE root *smei- "to laugh, smile" (cf. Old English smerian "to laugh at, scorn," Old High German smieron "to smile," Latin mirus "wonderful," mirari "to wonder"). Related: Smiled; smiling.
  • Gradually pushed the usual Old English word, smearcian (modern smirk), into a specific, unpleasant sense. Of the eyes, from 1759. Figuratively, as indicating favor or encouragement, from c.1400. Romance, Celtic, and Slavic languages tend to use a diminutive of the word for "laugh" to mean "smile" (e.g. Latin ridere "laugh;" subridere "smile"), perhaps literally "small laugh" or "low laugh."
  • verb put on a happy expression
Example sentences :
  • When he came, Paralus looked upon him with a smile of recognition, and said, "My father!"
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • With a nod and a smile, Aspasia said, "Continue the music, I pray you."
  • Extract from : « Philothea » by Lydia Maria Child
  • “Fair and softly,” said the printer with something of a smile.
  • Extract from : « The Armourer's Prentices » by Charlotte M. Yonge
  • Of course he's suffering, my dear—but look at the smile on him!
  • Extract from : « A Night Out » by Edward Peple
  • But Viviette regarded him with a smile--the smile of woman's superior wisdom.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • The allusion and a consciousness of Vancouver brought a smile into Viviette's eyes.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • Austin, with a smile on his lips, wandered out into the sunshine in search of Viviette.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • Austin waved them away with a deprecatory gesture and a smile.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • "But I'm not miserable, my dear Viviette," said poor Dick, vainly forcing a smile.
  • Extract from : « Viviette » by William J. Locke
  • It was all in her smile and the turning of her eyes, which were very wide open.
  • Extract from : « Way of the Lawless » by Max Brand

Synonyms for smile

Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019