as in to frown
to distort one's face
playgoers grimaced at the actor's terrible attempt at a French accent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scowl
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
he made a grimace when he tasted the medicine
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grimace
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
But their heaviest songs could just as easily hold their own against Metallica without having to grimace or sneer.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for grimace
Verb
But while running in from third to score, Abreu began grimacing and was removed from the game the following inning.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
But their heaviest songs could just as easily hold their own against Metallica without having to grimace or sneer.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
In one image, Scales, who had won a Military Cross for his bravery at the front, wears a crooked grimace that suggests recent anguish.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for grimace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimace
Verb
-
Brown continues to make backers frown.—
Brad Evans,
New York Times,
17 Oct. 2025
-
Sitting on a purple-and-gold sofa, Mamdani tasted his biryani and frowned.—
Eric Lach,
New Yorker,
9 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
If Simmons’ Demon was Kiss’ scowl, then Frehley’s Spaceman was its cackle.—
Joseph Hudak,
Rolling Stone,
16 Oct. 2025
-
After a beat, Eilish is seen yanking herself away and storms off, surrounded by security with an angry scowl on her face.—
Kevin Dolak,
HollywoodReporter,
10 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
In the first photo, Johnson East's daughter was on her back and wearing a headset, staring at the ceiling.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
17 Oct. 2025
-
The one on the far right is where my grandmother, Teta Ibtihaj, lies staring at the ceiling.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
17 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
These words naturally lift the corners of your mouth and create a more genuine expression.—
Christine Buzan,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Fatu was shown laid out, bleeding from the mouth, with what appeared to be teeth scattered on the floor nearby.—
Andrew Ravens,
MSNBC Newsweek,
22 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
Trousers that sneer down their noses (legs?) at anyone who prefers Charli XCX to Chaucer.—
Sam Reed,
Glamour,
10 Oct. 2025
-
The earnestness and sincerity that characterized so much music from the late ’90s were overtaken by the sneering rage of nu metal.—
Sophie Gilbert,
The Atlantic,
30 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
In the quarter millennium since, scholars and activists have in different ways done their damnedest to wipe the smirk off his face.—
Jane Kamensky,
The Atlantic,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Coach Ben Johnson began Week 6 with a smirk when asked about the position.—
Kevin Fishbain,
New York Times,
8 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grimace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimace. Accessed 25 Oct. 2025.
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