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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage
movie superheroes who are ever ready to face danger without blinking an eye
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to clad
to cover with something that protects
we decided to face our old frame house with aluminum siding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in frown
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
it's rude to make a face when your dinner hostess offers you broccoli
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
on the face of it, the country went to war for noble reasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in person
a member of the human race
I see they've hired some new faces
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gall
shameless boldness
you have to wonder how anyone has the face to ask such a personal question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in assurance
a state of mind in which one is free from doubt
he managed to maintain face despite the endless series of crises
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
The Americans move on to face the Dominican Republic in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Symptoms include rashes that cover the face and body.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for face
Verb
Cristopher Sanchez pitched five shutout innings, striking out eight, and Albert Abreu faced the minimum over two scoreless innings in relief as the offense once again racked up runs.
—Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 14 Mar. 2026
The Americans move on to face the Dominican Republic in a semifinal on Sunday in Miami.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2026
Noun
Bones is a pretty stellar action heroine, if only for her rah-rah speeches and her maniacal laughter in the face of men who seek to control her.
—Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 14 Mar. 2026
Symptoms include rashes that cover the face and body.
—Nicholas Williams, New York Daily News, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
-
The proceeds paid off the loss of the second smuggle and, crucially, fulfilled the original trio’s obligations to the small-time dealer who had fronted them the cash to buy The Escape in return for a commitment to two successful smuggles.—
Jack Crosbie,
Rolling Stone,
17 Mar. 2026
-
Stern will also front a cross-platform NBC News series called AI in America, with her NBC debut set for next Tuesday’s Today show.—
Alex Weprin,
HollywoodReporter,
17 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Many South African farms are ringed in barbed wire and outfitted with security cameras; one of the migrants told me a story about confronting armed robbers.—
Boyce Upholt,
New Yorker,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Latest on Temple Israel attack Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, the man who rammed a truck into a West Bloomfield Township synagogue Thursday, killed himself inside the facility when confronted by security, according to details provided by the FBI.—
Leah Olajide,
Freep.com,
14 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
The cedar wood’s grains are enhanced with an overlapping cladding style build, and the shingled roof adds a storybook cottage feel.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
14 Mar. 2026
-
Today it can be seen cladding a Qantas 787 Dreamliner in giant red webs and white spots.—
Susan Tallman,
The Atlantic,
2 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
Amidst the fairly strong law enforcement presence, Oscar ticket holders will also encounter police dogs on the red carpet.—
Dominic Patten,
Deadline,
15 Mar. 2026
-
Most likely, several ships over the centuries encountered the same treacherous conditions while attempting to dock, ultimately failing to navigate the passage, as per Libya Review.—
Maria Mocerino,
Interesting Engineering,
14 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The Warriors generated a slew of open looks, but were unable to capitalize on the opportunities that their ball movement created.—
Joseph Dycus,
Mercury News,
19 Mar. 2026
-
No confirmation has been provided about whether such elements as Jessie Buckley’s expected best actress win indeed went into the decision to dress the five stars who wore Chanel, but there’s no denying that fashion labels look at several variables before agreeing to create custom looks.—
Laurie Brookins,
HollywoodReporter,
19 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Via Mormino Penna is one of Sicily’s most theatrical streetscapes, lined with facades adorned with apotropaic masks, grotesque faces meant to ward off evil.—
Jenn Rice,
Vogue,
18 Mar. 2026
-
For a long time, the property gleamed in the daylight with its white, ornate facade against lush green landscaping and often at night, as well, with twinkling holiday lights attached to almost every surface.—
Heather McRea,
Oc Register,
18 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
Noun
-
Presence of stones Classified as a thescelosaurid, this bipedal dinosaur was part of a lineage found across East Asia and North America, potentially characterized by a fuzzy exterior.—
Mrigakshi Dixit,
Interesting Engineering,
19 Mar. 2026
-
The restoration included extensive repair work to the building’s brick exterior, new denim insulation and a rooftop photovoltaic array to improve energy efficiency.—
Mark Lamster,
Dallas Morning News,
17 Mar. 2026
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 20 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
