face-saver

1 of 2

noun (1)

face-sav·​er ˈfā(s)-ˌsā-vər How to pronounce face-saver (audio)
: something (such as a compromise) that saves face
face-saving adjective or noun

face-saving

2 of 2

noun (2)

: the act or an instance of preserving one's prestige or dignity
he often effected compromises which, in permitting a certain face-saving, did not yield the rightMerle Curti

Word History

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1910, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of face-saver was in 1910

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Cite this Entry

“Face-saver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/face-saver. Accessed 16 Jun. 2026.

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