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
-
Kunkel, a freelance journalist at a protest outside an immigration detention center in Chicago on September 26, was crouched behind a van when an agent took aim from a safe perch behind a chain link fence.—
Bob Ortega,
CNN Money,
10 Mar. 2026
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People stood, crouched and leaned against cars, eating shawarma, nihari burgers, kunafa and stretchy ice cream.—
Monti Carlo,
AJC.com,
8 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Rates reversal Historically low mortgage rates, spurred by deep economic uncertainty during the pandemic’s worst days, helped to distort the market.—
Jonathan Lansner,
Oc Register,
18 Mar. 2026
-
Ogalla said she was targeted by six mailings from Gallagher’s campaign that distorted her voting record, especially on property taxes and her efforts to reduce truck traffic.—
Michelle Mullins,
Chicago Tribune,
18 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Even as Michigan State came roaring back in the second half, cutting the lead to just two in the final minute, UCLA never flinched.—
Los Angeles Times,
Los Angeles Times,
14 Mar. 2026
-
And general manger Dan Morgan didn’t flinch.—
Mike Kaye
March 12,
Charlotte Observer,
12 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
In the video, Claffey tries to move Ansell away from the subject and grimaces at the camera when his costar seems to say a little too much.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
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After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Every so often, in the decade following The Comeback’s second-season finale in December 2014, co-creators Lisa Kudrow and Michael Patrick King would huddle to brainstorm ways to resuscitate Valerie Cherish.—
Chris Gardner,
HollywoodReporter,
18 Mar. 2026
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Prager and the other three crew members huddled together below deck to sketch out a plan.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Her hair was curled into subtle Old Hollywood waves by Rena Calhoun using products from Hair Rituel by Sisley Paris and tools from Mane.—
Kara Jillian Brown,
InStyle,
16 Mar. 2026
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Styled by Mara Roszak using GHD hair tools, Stone’s hair was blow-dried and curled slightly in different directions at the ends, creating a beautiful wave that gives it a soft swing.—
Lena Raab,
Glamour,
16 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Then, as things dragged on, Goldberg could be seen recoiling and wincing in her chair — and, at one point, fully collapsing backward in protest.—
Joey Nolfi,
Entertainment Weekly,
4 Mar. 2026
-
Forrest pushed it and winced as tear gas sprayed.—
James Verini,
New Yorker,
2 Mar. 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
Cite this Entry
“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
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