as in to frown
to distort one's face
playgoers grimaced at the actor's terrible attempt at a French accent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scowl
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
he made a grimace when he tasted the medicine
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grimace
Caitlyn Murphy, Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024
The researchers found that when people fake pain, their mouth-opening action during grimaces is too regular.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2014
There’s no need to ask for his further blessings, and having noticed Philip’s many grimaces of disapproval in the background of Eddie’s selfies, Elsbeth and Kaya decide to attend a performance themselves, sitting in his late grandmother’s seats.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
His grimace is absolute aggression—all venom and intimidation.
—Jason Parham, WIRED, 28 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for grimace
Noun
Such movements were rapid…the outer ear and the corners of the mouth which would suddenly be drawn upwards and outwards; a whole series of grimaces was observable, none of which involved the eyes or tongue.
—Caitlyn Murphy, Hazlitt, 13 Nov. 2024
The researchers found that when people fake pain, their mouth-opening action during grimaces is too regular.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2014
There’s no need to ask for his further blessings, and having noticed Philip’s many grimaces of disapproval in the background of Eddie’s selfies, Elsbeth and Kaya decide to attend a performance themselves, sitting in his late grandmother’s seats.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
His grimace is absolute aggression—all venom and intimidation.
—Jason Parham, WIRED, 28 Aug. 2023
See All Example Sentences for grimace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimace
Verb
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Uruguay is a place that shuns extremes — where abrasive politics is frowned upon.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
25 Feb. 2025
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Leeper was part of the DJ crowd that attracted Black and white teens because the station played R&B and rock n’ roll, which many grown-ups frowned upon at the time.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
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Dave comes off like a human scowl, and requires little of Liu besides completely tamping down any sense of natural charisma the Shang-Chi star has.—
David Fear,
Rolling Stone,
28 Feb. 2025
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What Aimee Lou Wood conveys with an energetic smile and exclamation, Walton Goggins portrays with a scowl and an expletive.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2025
Verb
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Just over a year ago its Marvel Studios division was staring into an abyss.—
Caroline Reid,
Forbes,
8 Mar. 2025
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In the clip, the blonde dachshund stares at his bowl of dry food, clearly unimpressed.—
Tommy Tuberville,
Newsweek,
7 Mar. 2025
Noun
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Yet, he wasn’t born with a silver spoon in his mouth.—
Court Stroud,
Forbes,
5 Mar. 2025
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Viewers were able to see the dog making his way up the flight of stairs with blankets in his mouth, seemingly preparing for a cozy morning.—
Thomas G. Moukawsher,
Newsweek,
4 Mar. 2025
Verb
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In character as a free spirit who scorns social convention, Davis is all haughty tosses of the head and sneering lines.—
EW Staff,
EW.com,
2 Mar. 2025
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But the camera sneers at her, creating a distancing effect that undermines the complexity of Moore’s performance.—
Angelica Jade Bastién,
Vulture,
12 Feb. 2025
Noun
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These terms are often tossed around with a smirk, used to describe parents who hover over every detail of their children’s lives—ensuring every problem is fixed, every obstacle removed.—
Marvin Krislov,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
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The fifth season of Hulu’s hit dystopian series had began with the smirk seen ’round the globe that pit June Osborne (Moss) against Serena Joy Waterford (Strahovski).—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grimace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimace. Accessed 12 Mar. 2025.
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