eye-rolling
noun
eye-roll·ing
ˈī-ˌrō-liŋ 
variants
or less commonly eye rolling
: the action or gesture of turning the eyes upward as an expression of annoyance, exasperation, disbelief, etc. : the rolling of the eyes
Other news anchors read the news. Wilson instructed you. He gave you the impression he had some things to tell you, and you'd be wise to sit up, pipe down and pay attention. And, if it was one of those stories that piqued his ever-vigilant sense of outrage, there was likely to be eye-rolling, deep sighs, and even some head-shaking at the ridiculousness of it all.—
C. W. Nevius
C. W. NeviusWe are out for lunch, waiting patiently for our food. We are probably discussing something important … Either way, when the food hits the table, I will shush you, I will move my plate to the part of the restaurant with the most natural light, and I will take a picture. No amount of eye rolling will make me feel remorse. You think I am a monster. You are wrong.—Josh Scherer
Josh SchererExamples of eye-rolling in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
However, rather than blithely dismiss the consequences of legalization with eye-rolling contempt for the puritans, supporters should confront the adverse societal effects of cannabis — the pervasive urban stench, the traffic deaths and the pernicious effects on youth.
—Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
To put it in an eye-rolling phrase: The Niners’ defense was more stout when Upton Stout was trusted to make plays.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
But here are our choices of the most meme-orable, eye-rolling, jaw-dropping and head-scratching moments of the year.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
The eye-rolling, groaning, mock-despair brings the group together.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
On the plus side, the young acting talent and a welcome lightheartedness will keep the eye-rolling to a minimum.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Infiniti makes that mix of tenderness and eye-rolling protectiveness believable.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
This has provoked inevitable eye-rolling about nepotism, but Mann is a comedic star in her own right.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Having started amid much fanfare and considerable eye-rolling from purists, the tournament is about to enter a new phase of cash injection.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
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Cory Franklin, Chicago Tribune, 12 Jan. 2026
To put it in an eye-rolling phrase: The Niners’ defense was more stout when Upton Stout was trusted to make plays.
—Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News, 5 Jan. 2026
But here are our choices of the most meme-orable, eye-rolling, jaw-dropping and head-scratching moments of the year.
—Will Barker, TheWeek, 30 Dec. 2025
The eye-rolling, groaning, mock-despair brings the group together.
—Big Think, 5 Nov. 2025
On the plus side, the young acting talent and a welcome lightheartedness will keep the eye-rolling to a minimum.
—Brian Truitt, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025
Infiniti makes that mix of tenderness and eye-rolling protectiveness believable.
—Stephanie Zacharek, Time, 18 Sep. 2025
This has provoked inevitable eye-rolling about nepotism, but Mann is a comedic star in her own right.
—Adrienne Lafrance, The Atlantic, 15 Sep. 2025
Having started amid much fanfare and considerable eye-rolling from purists, the tournament is about to enter a new phase of cash injection.
—Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 19 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Eye-rolling.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/eye-rolling. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
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