eye roll
noun
variants
or less commonly eye-roll
plural eye rolls also eye-rolls
: an upward turning of the eyes especially as an expression of annoyance, exasperation, disbelief, etc. : an instance of rolling the eyes
Historically, anyone who dares to give pro athletes mental advice—be they M.D.s, psychologists or shamans—often gets the eye roll or the pat on the back.—
Jaimal Yogis
Jaimal YogisContempt, one of the emotions Gottman watches for at the Love Lab, is detectable through the … buccinator, which pulls the lip corners to the side and creates a distinctly uncute dimple; it's often combined with an upward eye roll.—Casey Greenfield
Casey GreenfieldHis stories always took their time, his daughter said, and usually some winding turns, too. His family's eye-rolls only made him go slower.—Peter Schworm
Peter Schworm"Mom!" She gave me the parents-are-weird eye-roll. The truth is, though, she's proud of me.—Katha Pollitt
Katha PollittExamples of eye roll in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Trump’s Middle East Visit: In Saudi Arabia, the president denounced Western intervention and nation-building, garnering both praise and eye rolls.
—Iyad Abuheweila, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Contempt can also seep through nonverbal cues such as eye rolls, heavy sighs and sarcasm.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
For some royal watchers, Prince Louis stole the show, copying Prince George and giving an exaggerated eye roll in another heart-warming moment.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Yes, there are big personalities on the show, notably Massimo Piedimonte, who often generates eye rolls by the other chefs when his bravado goes overboard.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye roll
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Iyad Abuheweila, New York Times, 21 May 2025
Contempt can also seep through nonverbal cues such as eye rolls, heavy sighs and sarcasm.
—Mark Travers, Forbes.com, 26 Apr. 2025
For some royal watchers, Prince Louis stole the show, copying Prince George and giving an exaggerated eye roll in another heart-warming moment.
—Jack Royston, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 May 2025
Yes, there are big personalities on the show, notably Massimo Piedimonte, who often generates eye rolls by the other chefs when his bravado goes overboard.
—Laurie Ochoa, Los Angeles Times, 17 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for eye roll
Cite this Entry
“Eye roll.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eye%20roll. Accessed 19 Jun. 2025.
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