grinned
Showed teeth happily
Grinned is the past tense of grin—to smile broadly, typically showing teeth.
A grin often suggests amusement, mischief, or self-satisfaction rather than simple happiness: She grinned when she saw the surprise, He grinned at his own cleverness.
The expression can be genuine or forced: grinned and bore it.
Smiled with superiority
- chuckledLaughed softly, briefly
- giggledLaughed in short bursts
- snickeredLaughed in a stifled, mocking way
- laughedVocalized mirth
twinkled · winked · teased · joked · playful · mischievous · roguish · impish
Smiled with contempt
- smirkedSmiled with superiority
- scoffedExpressed mocking disbelief
- mockedRidiculed or scorned
- tauntedMocked to provoke
sardonic · wry · ironic · cynical · contemptuous · derisive · bitter · knowing
Expressed joy facially
- beamedSmiled with radiance
- radiatedEmitted energy outward
- glowedEmitted steady light
- welcomedReceived with pleasure
greeted · embraced · friendly · affectionate · cheerful · cordial · genial · sunny
Excessively self-satisfied
- victoriousHaving achieved triumph
- proudSatisfied by accomplishment
- satisfiedHaving enough, wanting nothing
- self-satisfiedSmugly pleased with oneself
gloating · cocky · boastful · confident · exultant · pleased · winning · superior
Embarrassed and timid
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- embarrassedSelf-consciously uncomfortable
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
uneasy · tense · apologetic · self-conscious · rueful · grimaced · winced · hesitant
smirked
Smiled with superiority
- chuckledLaughed softly, briefly
- giggledLaughed in short bursts
- snickeredLaughed in a stifled, mocking way
laughed · twinkled · winked · teased · joked · playful · mischievous · roguish · impish · tickled
sneered
Smiled with contempt
taunted · sardonic · wry · ironic · cynical · contemptuous · derisive · bitter · knowing · crooked
smiled
Expressed joy facially
welcomed · greeted · embraced · friendly · affectionate · cheerful · cordial · genial · sunny · bright
smug
Excessively self-satisfied
- victoriousHaving achieved triumph
- proudSatisfied by accomplishment
- satisfiedHaving enough, wanting nothing
self-satisfied · gloating · cocky · boastful · confident · exultant · pleased · winning · superior · accomplished
sheepish
Embarrassed and timid
- awkwardLacking grace or ease
- embarrassedSelf-consciously uncomfortable
- forcedMade to occur unwillingly
strained · uneasy · tense · apologetic · self-conscious · rueful · grimaced · winced · hesitant · uncomfortable
- grinning and bearing itEnduring discomfort with feigned cheerfulness
- grinned and bore itAccepted hardship cheerfully