face 1 of 2

Definition of facenext
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 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

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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
Bridges could loom large again in the second round, particularly if the Knicks face the Boston Celtics, whose first-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers will be decided in a Game 7 on Saturday night. Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 1 May 2026 Limon’s roommate, Hisham Saleh Abugharbieh, 26, was taken into custody the same day has been jailed since then, facing two charges of first-degree murder. Mike Schneider, Sun Sentinel, 1 May 2026
Noun
Their connection traced back to Lukas’ days training quarter horses in New Mexico before getting into thoroughbreds and becoming one of the faces of the sport. Stephen Whyno, Chicago Tribune, 2 May 2026 There are now t-shirts with her face on them, street murals, and a major Johannesburg road named after her. Kate Bartlett, NPR, 2 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
  • Virginia Beach, Virginia Virginia Beach fronts both the Atlantic Ocean and the Chesapeake Bay, providing a variety of experiences for family beach vacations (even in the cooler fall months).
    Kara Williams, USA Today, 25 Apr. 2026
  • The draft room will be fronted by executive vice president of player personnel Eliot Wolf and vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden on Saturday.
    Doug Kyed, Boston Herald, 24 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • After noticing that one of the items purchased was the entire Lip Critic discography on Bandcamp, Kaser was later confronted by the fan at one of their shows, who claimed to have decoded hidden messages in their music.
    Alastair Shuttleworth, Pitchfork, 2 May 2026
  • As countries around the world confront the economic fallout from the Iran conflict, Asian economies have been particularly hard hit.
    Wendy Cutler, Fortune, 2 May 2026
Verb
  • The same went for the team’s suggestion to clad the powder room in tree bark, a nod to rustic Adirondack camp interiors.
    Hannah Martin, Architectural Digest, 16 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • People dispense advice to our heroine of the kind that one encounters in stories properly poised on the cusp of life.
    James Wood, New Yorker, 4 May 2026
  • The shine of this magic trick hasn’t worn off, and my favorite place to encounter it is in a truly harrowing adventure story.
    Dan Zak, The Atlantic, 3 May 2026
Noun
  • The media company behind such iconic TV characters as Don Draper, Rick Grimes and Walter White wants advertisers to give a stronger gaze at first looks.
    Brian Steinberg, Variety, 30 Apr. 2026
  • Certainly had some good looks from three that didn’t go down.
    Benjamin Royer, Oc Register, 30 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • While Metcalf’s Linda adopts a facade of stoicism to shield her family from the grief erupting in her, Abbott’s Biff is forced to reveal the broken man behind the defiant veneer.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 29 Apr. 2026
  • The southern façade, for instance, is entirely solid—no windows, no openings—to shield the interior from the most brutal solar rays.
    Nick Mafi, Architectural Digest, 29 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Greg’s smile, contrasted with the frowns and thumbs-down from the rest of the crew, makes for an entertaining visual.
    Erin Qualey, Vulture, 20 Apr. 2026
  • Carpenter responded with a quizzical frown.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 13 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Another stadium change sparks old NFL debate While the Mercedes-Benz logos will be returned to their place on the facade after the tournament, Atlanta Stadium's exterior isn't the only area experiencing a major change.
    Irene Wright, USA Today, 29 Apr. 2026
  • Beyond the stylish exterior, it’s packed with practical safety details, including a locking zipper compartment, slash-resistant construction, and an additional zippered interior pocket to keep valuables tucked away.
    Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 29 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 5 May. 2026.

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