squinch 1 of 2

1
as in to crouch
to lie low with the limbs close to the body squinched down to fit under the table

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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

squinch

2 of 2

noun

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 squinch
Verb
First, atop the cube sits an octagonal structure with arched squinches angled across each corner. 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 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 Take Karlie Kloss for example, who at Tuesday night's Paper Towns premiere, showed off her propensity for a professional squinch. Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, 23 July 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 Striking a more calculated pose, Kloss squinches her eyes, which aids in further carving out her high cheekbones and defining her jawline. Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, 23 July 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squinch
Verb
  • Dutton’s wife and children crouched down on the floor of the car, but Dutton’s oldest son, 7 years old, was hysterical and kept trying to crawl out of the car.
    Sally Ventura June 23, Literary Hub, 23 June 2025
  • The researchers found that when the barks played, incubating female curlews quickly crouched in the grass to camouflage themselves and protect their nests.
    Sara Hashemi, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 June 2025
Verb
  • However, the same technologies that can immortalize could also distort and manipulate reality.
    Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
  • Donovan continued that social media also distorts wealth.
    Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Given his winning streak, nobody would’ve flinched if Lamar framed his portion of the event as a celebration.
    Bob Gendron, Chicago Tribune, 7 June 2025
  • But, when Wayne and Bryant’s names were called, neither flinched under the bright lights.
    Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 6 June 2025
Noun
  • Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Monday’s developments were greeted with grimace around town.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Verb
  • Tense scenes played out in the chamber as voting came to a standstill, dragging for hours as holdout senators huddled for negotiations.
    Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 29 June 2025
  • Tense scenes played out in the chamber as voting came to a standstill, dragging on for hours as holdout senators huddled for negotiations.
    Lisa Mascaro, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
Verb
  • Calvert stands about 5 foot 1, has smile lines around her big blue eyes and keeps her strawberry-blond bob neatly curled.
    Hailey Branson-Potts, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2025
  • If the particles are flying in the direction of your thumb, their spin follows the direction your fingers curl—on either your right hand or your left.
    Zack Savitsky, Wired News, 22 June 2025
Verb
  • Spieth struggled throughout his opening round and was seen wincing in pain several times, even losing hold of a club.
    Kendall Capps, MSNBC Newsweek, 19 June 2025
  • Harper crumbled to one knee, wincing in anguish, as Phillies fans quaked with their worst possible nightmare — that their superstar first-baseman is seriously injured.
    Anthony Stitt, Forbes.com, 28 May 2025
Noun
  • Young visitors at the Vietnam Military History Museum posted photos of themselves next to the flag with deep frowns, thumbs down or middle fingers raised.
    Stephanie Yang, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2025
  • In this community, mention of President Trump elicits shudders, frowns or blank stares.
    Kurt Streeter, New York Times, 1 May 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 4 Jul. 2025.

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