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

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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
Steyer faced questions about his offshore investments before. Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 28 Mar. 2026 Because of its location—facing the St-Lawrence River and the Old Port—nothing beats watching summer fireworks from Terrasse sur l’Auberge up on the roof. Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026
Noun
In the meantime, residents are advised to take protective measures such as wearing long pants and long sleeves and using protective netting over one’s face. Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 28 Mar. 2026 The relief on his face after the game was evident. Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald, 28 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
  • Davison has a natural tenor singing voice eerily similar to a young Jon Anderson, fronted the Yes tribute band Roundabout, and was more than ready for the rigors of the road after playing in the groups Glass Hammer and Sky Cries Mary.
    Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 21 Mar. 2026
  • Barnes took on Jokic and fronted him aggressively, agitating him early in the game, but the three-time MVP managed to fight through it and limit his turnovers to two this time.
    Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 21 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • Take, for instance, a scene featuring a woman in a kind of avant-garde milkmaid ensemble confronting a monstrously tall figure that, upon close examination, is actually a child perched atop a man’s shoulders, wearing a long trench coat.
    Chris Wiley, New Yorker, 28 Mar. 2026
  • Facing the future may mean confronting difficult questions and frightening scenarios.
    Kat McGowan, NPR, 28 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
  • Nearly half the species in this stretch of forest are nocturnal, offering a rare chance to encounter species like red-eyed tree frogs and bats in their natural environments.
    Meghan Palmer, Condé Nast Traveler, 29 Mar. 2026
  • Are your goals encountering a wild card?
    USA TODAY, USA Today, 29 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Guests will have the opportunity to spend the night inside Hannah’s world, just steps from the ocean, and get a peek into the star’s legendary closet, where racks burst with glittering stage looks, sequined tops, and bold accessories.
    Charlie Vargas, Daily News, 26 Mar. 2026
  • That’s looks-maxxing terminology for becoming really, really hot.
    Will Gottsegen, The Atlantic, 26 Mar. 2026
Noun
  • Don’t mistake the play’s opening facade for what is in fact an intricate and multi-layered performance work.
    Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Behind this façade, a sandy path leads to a dense network of row houses.
    Taran Khan, The Dial, 24 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
  • The poster for Norwood Park features the distinctive, colorful exterior of the Superdawg drive-in hot dog stand.
    Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 25 Mar. 2026
  • Following his March 18 arrest in Arkansas on a warrant out of Bay County, Florida, a police investigation of the couple’s home reportedly found that the locks to the bedrooms were on the exterior of the doors, according to a source close to the family who spoke with People.
    Kevin Dolak, HollywoodReporter, 25 Mar. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 1 Apr. 2026.

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