1
as in to front
to stand or sit with the face or front toward
the house faces the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage
movie superheroes who are ever ready to face danger without blinking an eye
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to clad
to cover with something that protects
we decided to face our old frame house with aluminum siding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to encounter
to enter into contest or conflict with
the Boston Red Sox were eager to face their traditional rivals, the Yankees, in the play-offs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in looks
the front part of the head
the criminal hid his face from the news cameras as he slumped into the patrol car
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in front
a forward part or surface
the face of the store building has been altered many times over the years to meet changing tastes and needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frown
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
it's rude to make a face when your dinner hostess offers you broccoli
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in exterior
an outer part or layer
a much-needed sandblasting revealed that the face of the old stone church is actually a pinkish granite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in look
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling
a rainy day is no excuse for just moping around with a long face, so let's do something
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
on the face of it, the country went to war for noble reasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in person
a member of the human race
I see they've hired some new faces
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gall
shameless boldness
you have to wonder how anyone has the face to ask such a personal question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in assurance
a state of mind in which one is free from doubt
he managed to maintain face despite the endless series of crises
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of face
Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
That means a silver sliver of the moon will be visible, with most of its illuminated half facing away from Earth, NASA explains.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Antonio Ferme, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
This face sheet in motion starts to make the movie feel like it’s intended for that audience only, a private time capsule accessible only to those who come to the film as Charli’s +1s, or those fans with a deep investment in her cosmopolitan social (media) life.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for face
Verb
State Attorney General Dana Nessel is suing four big oil companies under antitrust laws alleging a decades-long conspiracy to undermine the adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles that has led Michiganders to face higher energy costs and greater exposure to climate change.
—Jc Reindl, Freep.com, 23 Jan. 2026
That means a silver sliver of the moon will be visible, with most of its illuminated half facing away from Earth, NASA explains.
—Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Noun
The whole idea is to try things, live your life, experiment, fall on your face and get back up.
—Antonio Ferme, Variety, 24 Jan. 2026
This face sheet in motion starts to make the movie feel like it’s intended for that audience only, a private time capsule accessible only to those who come to the film as Charli’s +1s, or those fans with a deep investment in her cosmopolitan social (media) life.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 24 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
-
Qualley has been a Chanel house ambassador since 2020, fronting campaigns for spring 2020 eyewear, the Coco Beach 2022 collection and the 2023 Coco Crush jewelry line.—
Maggie Clancy,
Footwear News,
27 Jan. 2026
-
The neighborhood/area Portofino began as a fishing village fronting the bay, this little crook of Ligurian coastline.—
Matt Ortile,
Condé Nast Traveler,
22 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
During the shooting, Arredondo made a decision to treat the gunman as a barricaded subject and not confront him for over an hour, even after it was confirmed children were trapped in a classroom with the shooter.—
Elise Hammond,
CNN Money,
24 Jan. 2026
-
This could be trying something new, confronting a fear, revisiting a difficult conversation or stepping outside a familiar identity.—
Mark Travers,
Forbes.com,
24 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Horizontal wood paneling clads this chimney from floor to ceiling instead of the usual brick or stone.—
Zoe Gowen,
Southern Living,
29 Dec. 2025
-
On Floors, Walls, and Ceiling Famed interior designer Emily Henderson went all-in on warm oak for her brother’s home project, cladding the floors, walls, and ceiling a gorgeous oak wood plank.—
Lauren Bengtson,
Better Homes & Gardens,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
The most recent third season transported viewers to Thailand, where glamorous guests (played by Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Walton Goggins, Aimee Lou Wood among many others) encountered enlightenment, spirituality and death.—
Liza Esquibias,
PEOPLE,
12 Jan. 2026
-
Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, who hopes to return home to his wife (Anne Hathaway) after the Trojan War, but (famously), encounters a few obstacles.—
Emily Temple,
Literary Hub,
12 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
During the La Jolla events, Fashion Week San Diego brought in models and designers to showcase select looks in an outdoor runway format.—
Ashley Mackin Solomon,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
23 Jan. 2026
-
The Patriots will likely come at Stidham with disguised blitzes, nonstop stunts, defensive linemen dropping into passing lanes and an array of looks.—
Patrick Saunders,
Denver Post,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
The Korea Times reported that the agency applied for a free concert with pre filming and media facade production.—
Hannah Abraham,
Forbes.com,
22 Jan. 2026
-
Fire damaged the building in July 2022, but didn’t destroy its terra-cotta facade.—
Samuel O’Neal
January 21,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
21 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Not a quiver in his lips, yet his frown growing.—
Noah White,
Miami Herald,
3 Dec. 2025
-
My best friend Russell is an acupuncturist, and seemed like the perfect person to place my tape, slapping it on my frown lines, crow’s-feet, and nasolabial folds.—
Lena Dunham,
Vogue,
19 Nov. 2025
Noun
-
Her favorite styles have a puffer exterior, and Amazon’s fashion store has some in stock and on sale for up to 53 percent off right now.—
Rylee Johnston,
PEOPLE,
22 Jan. 2026
-
These under-$20 ski gloves are waterproof, windproof, and suited for temperatures as low as -22 degrees Fahrenheit, thanks to their thermal fleece interior, durable TPU exterior, and adjustable wrist buckle that can be tightened to lock in heat.—
Amelia McBride,
Travel + Leisure,
21 Jan. 2026
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 29 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
