face 1 of 2

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

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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

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face

2 of 2

noun

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

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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

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3
as in grimace
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval it's rude to make a face when your dinner hostess offers you broccoli

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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

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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

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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 face
Verb
The move comes amid mounting frustration with the country’s law enforcement, which for decades has faced allegations of abuse — including thousands of cases of a still-prevalent torture mechanism used during apartheid — and yet failed to reduce crime. semafor.com, 14 July 2025 Intel has faced manufacturing delays, quality-control issues, marketing errors, expensive acquisitions that didn’t work out, executive management turnover and more in a highly competitive industry. Sasha Hupka, AZCentral.com, 14 July 2025
Noun
And When an Israeli asks for coffee, serve him a coffee, beside a stencil of a scalding cup hitting a face. Guy Ben-Aharon, The Atlantic, 14 July 2025 The two come face to face in the villa, three years after Clayton dumped Rachel in the season 26 finale of the ABC series. Joelle Goldstein, People.com, 14 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
  • The eight-time Wimbledon champion sported the Land-Dweller 40, which Rolex debuted in March with a campaign fronted by the former tennis star.
    Julia Teti, Footwear News, 9 July 2025
  • On Saturday, he’ll be joined by U.K. grime legends Boy Better Know, fronted by Skepta and his brother JME, BigXthaPlug, SahBabii and British rappers Lancey Foux and Nemzzz.
    Angel Diaz, Billboard, 8 July 2025
Verb
  • As Hailey follows the trail across borders and through layers of deception, he’s forced to confront both his personal demons and the bureaucratic system he’s sworn to uphold.
    Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 22 July 2025
  • As the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina approaches in late August, viewers can expect a slew of reflective documentaries confronting that fathomable/unfathomable dichotomy — projects made without expectations of equaling When the Levees Broke, but with a different imperative in mind.
    Daniel Fienberg, HollywoodReporter, 22 July 2025
Verb
  • That’s good, but cladding a phone whose raison d’etre is gorgeous, slim design seems less than ideal.
    David Phelan, Forbes.com, 4 May 2025
  • The grain of custom oak millwork is placed in contrasting directions on the kitchen cabinetry and the oversized panels cladding the breakfast nook wall around the custom sensuous banquette that is fabricated by Seventeen Second Design.
    Jessica Ritz, Architectural Digest, 26 Mar. 2025
Verb
  • The center's July 18 report shows at least 26 states plus Washington, D.C., are encountering a summer surge, according to its epidemic trend modeling, using data from emergency department visits.
    Kathryn Palmer, USA Today, 22 July 2025
  • For the first time Cuba allowed more visitors from abroad, particularly Cuban Americans, and encounters between the Cuban diaspora and Cubans living on the island began to happen.
    Jane Ciabattari July 22, Literary Hub, 22 July 2025
Noun
  • The narrow cobblestone street cuts through the city’s Old Town toward the waterfront and abuts the eastern facade of Diocletian’s Palace, an ancient Roman fortress built about 1,700 years ago.
    Aspen Pflughoeft July 9, Miami Herald, 9 July 2025
  • After arriving, fire crews reported that parts of the facade and some of the parapet separated from the parking garage, sending bricks crashing to the sidewalk and street below, Nolan said.
    Kansas City Star, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2025
Noun
  • Even though the couple filmed the skit after class to be respectful of the other participants, the sweat and grimaces weren’t just for show.
    Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 June 2025
  • At one point, Hunt emerges onto London’s Trafalgar Square and grimaces at the sight of a massive protest.
    Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 May 2025
Noun
  • Don't be fooled by the building's nondescript exterior—the tiny displays of classic photos and stories inside, combined with the affordable €5 ticket for retrospectives and programs with filmmaker participation, won me over immediately.
    Emily Manthei, Travel + Leisure, 19 July 2025
  • The facade is made of raw concrete plaster that was intentionally left to weather over time, resulting in a rough, unrefined exterior that is contrasted by mahogany doors, oak paneling, and large glass windows.
    Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 18 July 2025
Noun
  • The pack-leader in the Limited or Anthology Series category this year was The Penguin, which scored an impressive 24 nominations, including looks for Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, and Deirdre O’Connell.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2025
  • Wayfair Basics Blackout Grommet Curtain Panel The curtains are made from 100 percent polyester and have a straight bottom hem that brings a tailored look to spaces.
    Jacqueline Tempera, People.com, 15 July 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

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