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
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
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
Verb
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
Noun
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squinch
Verb
-
After he was hit in the left temple, Sykes, 39, could be seen crouching down on the stage.—
Ilana Kaplan,
PEOPLE,
13 May 2026
-
But then a heavy beat drops, and the figure crouches down into a duckwalk, moving across the walkway in a low bounce before springing up with the circling arm movements of voguing.—
Caitlin Huston,
HollywoodReporter,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
Both are used to distort drone and missile guidance systems.—
The Week UK,
TheWeek,
13 May 2026
-
These developments do not rise to a level where AI can be said to be distorting the economy.—
Phillip Molnar,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
13 May 2026
Verb
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Captain Sangay Wangchuk didn’t flinch.—
Chris Dong,
Travel + Leisure,
12 May 2026
-
San Antonio featured four regulars –De’Aaron Fox, Stephon Castle, Devin Vassell and Dylan Harper — and yet Denver’s unknowns refused to flinch.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
1 May 2026
Noun
-
And Ahmed, with his fearful eyes and tense grimace, makes for a compellingly sad and isolated figure.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
-
Charlie Lindgren’s grimace was evident behind his mask.—
Bailey Johnson,
Washington Post,
6 Apr. 2026
Verb
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Former University of Kansas one-and-done combo guard Darryn Peterson huddled with scouts and front-office executives representing 10 pro basketball teams on Wednesday morning at the NBA Combine in Chicago.—
Gary Bedore
May 13,
Kansas City Star,
14 May 2026
-
On the Mall, the wide avenue leading to the palace, a sudden downpour and a bitter wind buffeted a scant line of crowds, huddled under umbrellas against the barriers lining the iconic red roadway.—
Alexander Smith,
NBC news,
13 May 2026
Verb
-
Hulda is curling in on herself.—
Amanda Whiting,
Vulture,
13 May 2026
-
Step on the band and curl toward your shoulders for arm definition.—
Christopher Bergland,
Verywell Health,
11 May 2026
Verb
-
At times, she’s been shown wincing on the bench.—
Hailey Salvian,
New York Times,
13 May 2026
-
Vanderbilt was in a ton of pain, and even the Thunder bench winced at Vanderbilt’s hand.—
Ryan Gaydos,
FOXNews.com,
6 May 2026
Noun
-
The Spaniard left hurriedly, carrying a frown that owed to a sense of injustice.—
Jacob Tanswell,
New York Times,
1 May 2026
-
Greg’s smile, contrasted with the frowns and thumbs-down from the rest of the crew, makes for an entertaining visual.—
Erin Qualey,
Vulture,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 20 May. 2026.
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