moue

as in grimace
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval a moue of distaste at the display of bad manners

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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 moue In her trademark cat-eye glasses, with her bitter-lemon moue, Hoffman, as Moth, is comedy just standing there; Harada, as Mustardseed, a warmth machine. New York Times, 24 Oct. 2021 Not just any moue, either, but a supermoue—a whole cultural attitude distilled into a single boffff. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2020
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moue
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Klára tries to keep him away but Berend, a sweaty, sour beast of a man who wears a permanent scowl, insistently shoves his way into the household.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Serve up in a stemmed glass, and garnish with a scowl, or perhaps a war story.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • 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
  • 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
Noun
  • Outside of illness, allergies, smoking, breathing through your mouth while sleeping and going under general anesthesia can also cause your throat to hurt when swallowing.
    Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 17 Sep. 2025
  • The Power Of Specialization Today, my clinical focus is on full-mouth dental implants.
    Devan Dalla, Forbes.com, 17 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While Shrek pouts about missing his solo ogre days, the dastardly Rumpelstiltskin takes advantage, offering him a contract to relive that romanticized time in his life — for a day.
    Skyler Trepel September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Performance-wise, Jude Law is a surprisingly effective Putin, getting the President’s pout to perfection, and giving him a slightly abrasive Estuary English accent.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Moue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moue. Accessed 18 Sep. 2025.

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