1
2
as in to distort
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition
squinched up her eyes in disgust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
didn't squinch a bit when the intruder pulled a knife on him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squinch
Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018
Here, she's added parted lips, slightly sucked-in cheeks, and a subtle chin tilt on top of her master squinch.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 18 Jan. 2022
To deepen the illusion that life is just one big fashion spread, we've been trained to 1) smize, 2) duck face, 3) squinch, and now, 4) fish gape.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Verb
Brick squinches, here decorated with windows and patterns mimicking those below, are not unique to the Samanid mausoleum.
—Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018
Here, she's added parted lips, slightly sucked-in cheeks, and a subtle chin tilt on top of her master squinch.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Noun
Some boys and girls look directly at the camera, while others squinch up their faces.
—Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 18 Jan. 2022
To deepen the illusion that life is just one big fashion spread, we've been trained to 1) smize, 2) duck face, 3) squinch, and now, 4) fish gape.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squinch
Verb
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The dance began with Irwin crouched atop a Jeep suped up for safari, with the junior conservationist correspondingly decked in the head-to-toe khaki uniform made famous by his dad.—
Ryan Coleman,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Sep. 2025
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In one instance, a colleague entered Aber’s office to find an inmate crouched under his desk, according to an affidavit filed against Aber in the criminal case.—
Shelly Bradbury,
Denver Post,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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But the speakers broke up and distorted at this volume.—
Eric Zeman,
PC Magazine,
17 Sep. 2025
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Messy data wrecks forecasts, distorts reporting and wastes time.—
Thasha Batts,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Your stronger body will give you the confidence that comes from moving without flinching.—
Dana Santas,
CNN Money,
11 Sep. 2025
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These images of an expanding Kong appeared on the screen and the actors on stage in front of it flinched in horror as the dwarfing image of Kong’s bigness loomed menacingly behind them.—
Christopher Smith,
Oc Register,
10 Sep. 2025
Noun
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In an alarming sight for an already-banged-up inside linebacker room, Greenlaw pulled up with a grimace after covering J.K. Dobbins on an LB-RB one-on-one pass-coverage drill.—
Luca Evans,
Denver Post,
31 July 2025
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In one image, Scales, who had won a Military Cross for his bravery at the front, wears a crooked grimace that suggests recent anguish.—
Ed Caesar,
New Yorker,
13 July 2025
Verb
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Then, her teammates pulled Zandalasini to her feet, wrapped her into an embrace and guided her to midcourt where the Valkyries huddled one last time in front of the crowd of 18,543 fans.—
Nathan Canilao,
Mercury News,
18 Sep. 2025
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Jenny Slate huddled with Brian Tyree Henry at the Governors Ball after party.—
Alex Apatoff,
PEOPLE,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The pork is pulled fresh from the pit and curled into long, juicy strands with a little crisp coleslaw on a simple hamburger bun.—
Robert F. Moss,
Southern Living,
17 Sep. 2025
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With the same playfulness of her makeup, Woods slicked the body of her hair in a bun on top of her head; her caramel-colored curled ends slinking around.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
16 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That’s our job, to bring up the uncomfortable and talk about the topics people wince at.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
10 Sep. 2025
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Immediately, Moore was on the ground and wincing in pain.—
James Brizuela,
MSNBC Newsweek,
9 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Firefighters batter Stephen Cullen stared up at Dullaghan from the plate with a frown on his face before giving the fan a thumbs down.—
Kirk Kenney,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Sep. 2025
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Luckily, life is going to improve in nearly every way going forward, so proceed with a smile rather than a frown.—
Kyle Thomas,
People.com,
10 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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