Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

force-a-smile

verb phrase

/fɔrs ə smaɪl/

Definition

To artificially put on a smile, often to conceal true feelings or to meet social expectations.

Examples

Despite feeling sad, she had to force a smile during the gathering.
He tried to force a smile when his boss entered the room, but it was clear he was struggling.
When asked about her day, she forced a smile to avoid sharing her troubles.

Meaning

When someone ‘forces a smile,’ they are trying to appear happy or pleasant, even if they do not genuinely feel that way. This can often occur in social situations where one wants to maintain a positive atmosphere.