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
Haiti already faced an uphill climb to get back into this game trailing 2-0, but now their opportunity to draw a point looks positively grim. Andrew Greif, NBC news, 20 June 2026 Similarly, Nickelodeon Hotels & Resorts Riviera Maya in Playa del Carmen offers ocean-facing swim-up suites and one of Mexico’s largest outdoor water parks. Chelsea Adams, USA Today, 20 June 2026
Noun
And a new board, assembled just months before the IPO, includes two fresh faces elevated to satisfy the governance expectations of public market investors. Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 June 2026 Sprinkle a layer of baking soda onto a damp microfiber cloth and gently scrub the cabinet face. Kate Van Pelt, The Spruce, 20 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
  • Meanwhile, the European Commission is investigating the deal under the EU’s Foreign Subsidies Regulation, looking at the approximately $24 billion being fronted for the takeover by the sovereign wealth funds of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
    Todd Spangler, Variety, 16 June 2026
  • The Sphere, a longtime vision for the mogul (who fronts his own band JD and the Straight Shot), had launched with concert experiences from the likes of U2, the Eagles, Dead & Company, Backstreet Boys and Metallica.
    Erik Hayden, HollywoodReporter, 16 June 2026
Verb
  • Firefighters confront a stubborn blaze inside a 500,000-square-foot frozen-food warehouse built like a giant cooler, with burning foam insulation, solar panels and ammonia lines complicating the multi-day battle.
    Los Angeles Times, Los Angeles Times, 20 June 2026
  • Jessie, confronting her abandonment trauma, blames technology after being separated with Bullseye, but ultimately helps a tech toy, Smarty Pants, to connect Bonnie with a new friend.
    Laura Sirikul, Forbes.com, 20 June 2026
Verb
  • Seed Studio Landscape Design used medium-width horizontal panels on the privacy fencing of this elegant backyard grill space and layered on thinner wood slats in the same warm tone to clad the outdoor kitchen.
    Kristin Hohenadel, The Spruce, 24 Apr. 2026
  • 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
Verb
  • An activity that may seem leisurely, such as swimming in a river, could end up more dangerous if someone encounters an unexpected rip current.
    Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 22 June 2026
  • One common problem growers encounter is the wilting of plants and foliage.
    Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 21 June 2026
Noun
  • When most pieces share a palette, almost any top works with almost any bottom, so a dozen items can cover dozens of looks.
    Ryan Brennan, Charlotte Observer, 19 June 2026
  • Seven different looks rotate throughout the World Cup season, each one conceived by designer Ricardo Zuccolini, with Diana Dubinsky and her team at Wynwood studio’s DesignLab22 swathing the sea nymphs in capes inspired by FIFA teams’ country colors.
    Lilian Raji, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026
Noun
  • Tarps continue to cover portions of the facade where the name had been displayed.
    Rena Rowe, The Washington Examiner, 17 June 2026
  • Sign on facade at shoe company Allbirds, Walnut Creek, California, August 25, 2025.
    Samantha Subin, CNBC, 17 June 2026
Noun
  • Numbers might be up, but frowns are also up.
    Tasha Robinson, Vulture, 16 June 2026
  • Turning a smile into a frown, or a frown into a smile.
    Jim Hemphill, IndieWire, 9 June 2026
Noun
  • Though the shopping center once held dozens of stores, its population of retailers steadily dwindled for years amid a string of new owners and a decaying exterior.
    Matan Josephy, Idaho Statesman, 17 June 2026
  • The sunny, minimalist interiors, with light wood floors and paneled walls, create a playful contrast with the modern, industrial-exterior aesthetic.
    Caitlin Gunther, Architectural Digest, 17 June 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 23 Jun. 2026.

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