painted smile
Feigned happy expression
A painted smile is a forced or artificial expression of happiness, worn to conceal true feelings.
The image suggests a smile applied like makeup rather than arising naturally: She greeted the guests with a painted smile, hiding her exhaustion.
The phrase often implies social obligation or emotional masking.
- fakeNot the real thing
- put on a brave facePretend confidence despite anxiety
- maskFace-worn concealment
- poker faceIntentionally expressionless look
- clownComedic performer in makeup
forced · grin · facade · keep up appearances · plastic · lipstick · cheerful · happy face · hollow · portrait · doll · mime · pretend · canvas · circus · makeup · surface · teeth
- clownsclown, bozo, hobo clown, rodeo clown, party clown