resigned smile

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "resigned smile" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a smile that conveys acceptance or resignation, often in response to a difficult situation. Example: "She gave him a resigned smile, knowing that there was nothing more she could do to change his mind."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

"I don't know" he said with a wry, resigned smile.

The Guardian

She and Mr. Abrams stood at the front of the stage, hands folded; Mr. Abrams wore a faint, resigned smile.

The New York Times - Arts

"We often find ourselves following the same people," Colonel Gentili said with a knowing and slightly resigned smile.

The New York Times

In his place at the defense table, he looked every bit the small fish, sleepy-eyed and downcast, with a slight paunch, a faint stubble and a resigned smile.

The New York Times

With a resigned smile they hand him a leaflet that details the potential horrors ahead, and points out that aid workers are "very likely to come into contact with terrorists once inside".

BBC

"You know," she said, with a shy, resigned smile.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

"That's a New York Republican for you," Mr. Baskin said when she was out of earshot, resigned but smiling.

The New York Times

That night, I slightly regret to tell you, I put my Bafta on my bedside table, resigned myself to smiling all night, and slept, amazed.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

William Conway, a partner at the Carlyle Group, resigned as a member of Smile Train's advisory board shortly after the vote.

The New York Times

And yet the discovery that in less than three decades our societies have achieved Orwellian levels of surveillance provokes, at most, a wry smile or a resigned shrug.

The Guardian

Seabury said the island's residents did not appear to be unduly worried about the crisis: "They shrug their shoulders, smile and give a resigned, pained look".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "resigned smile" when you want to convey a sense of acceptance, often tinged with disappointment or weariness, about a situation that cannot be changed.

Common error

Avoid using "resigned smile" when a genuinely happy or joyful smile is intended. The phrase specifically implies a degree of acceptance of something undesirable.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "resigned smile" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, where 'resigned' modifies 'smile'. According to Ludwig, this phrase effectively portrays a specific type of smile that communicates acceptance, often accompanied by disappointment. The examples in Ludwig demonstrate this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Reference

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "resigned smile" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a smile that conveys acceptance, often tinged with disappointment or weariness. As Ludwig highlights, it is frequently found in news and media contexts, reflecting situations where individuals accept unfavorable outcomes. While "resigned smile" is generally a negative expression, it can also denote a form of stoic acceptance. Consider alternatives like "wry smile" or "defeated smile" for subtle variations in meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wry smile

Similar in expressing amusement tinged with irony or disappointment.

defeated smile

Highlights the feeling of having lost or given up.

rueful smile

Expresses regret or sorrowful amusement.

bitter smile

Emphasizes the negativity and resentment behind the smile.

reluctant smile

Emphasizes the lack of enthusiasm behind the smile.

acceptance smile

Focuses on the act of accepting a difficult situation.

weary smile

Implies the smile is born of exhaustion or prolonged struggle.

resigned expression

Shifts from the smile itself to the overall facial expression.

forced smile

Suggests the smile is insincere and masks true feelings.

knowing smile

Implies an understanding of an underlying truth or situation.

FAQs

How to use "resigned smile" in a sentence?

The phrase "resigned smile" is used to describe a smile that shows acceptance of something unpleasant or inevitable. For example, "He gave a "resigned smile" when he realized his flight was delayed again."

What does a "resigned smile" mean?

A "resigned smile" indicates a smile that expresses acceptance or submission to something unavoidable or undesirable. It often carries a hint of disappointment or weariness.

What can I say instead of "resigned smile"?

Alternatives to "resigned smile" include "wry smile", "bitter smile", or "defeated smile", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "resigned smile" a positive or negative expression?

"Resigned smile" is generally a negative expression, as it suggests acceptance of something undesirable, although it can also imply a kind of stoic acceptance.