face 1 of 2

verb

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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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

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3
as in to clad
to cover with something that protects we decided to face our old frame house with aluminum siding

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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

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face

2 of 2

noun

ˈfās How to pronounce face (audio)
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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6
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication on the face of it, the country went to war for noble reasons

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7
as in person
a member of the human race I see they've hired some new faces

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8
as in gall
shameless boldness you have to wonder how anyone has the face to ask such a personal question

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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

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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
Sentinel faces development challenges The Mk21A program operates under a military contract worth more than $1 billion. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 5 Nov. 2026 If convicted, Sapov faces a maximum of five years in prison for each of the two counts of stalking, followed by supervised release. — Maven Navarro, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Nov. 2026
Noun
Yet a face is becoming a faster way through Orlando’s attractions, and Florida has not established a clear, statewide set of rules for guests who would rather keep theirs out of a biometric ticket system. — Burak Oktenli, The Orlando Sentinel, 3 Nov. 2026 Vogue’s reporting on beige blush notes that neutral shades sculpt the face without erasing cheek color entirely. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 3 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
  1. front
  2. confront
  3. clad
  4. encounter
  5. looks
  6. facade
  7. frown
  8. exterior
Verb
  • Agnes later finds out about Enid’s past as the help but seems to get over it when Enid offers to front the rest of the cost for the presidential hosting.
    — Alice Burton, Vulture, 2 Nov. 2026
  • The living area is positioned next to a large picture window that fronts the home and maximizes natural light inside, and contains a full-sized sofa, a coffee table, plus an entertainment center.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of front
Verb
  • Moreover, even robust Democratic majorities would need to confront the significant divisions that persist — and may be growing — in their ranks.
    — Ron Elving, NPR, 1 Nov. 2026
  • Orlando’s response to the displays at the Kia Center showed a willingness to confront hate.
    — Linda Chapin, The Orlando Sentinel, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of confront
Verb
  • One solution is to simply clad your spacecraft in armor to take the hit.
    — Christopher McFadden, Interesting Engineering, 25 Oct. 2026
  • Developer Pierre Delvaux incorporated local materials into the house, taking nine months to cut the volcanic rock from the Great Rift Valley used to clad the property.
    — Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 29 Sep. 2026
Definition of clad
Verb
  • Employees may need mental-health or substance-use support but encounter barriers when trying to locate an appropriate provider.
    — Soniya Bopache, Forbes.com, 6 Nov. 2026
  • The version using incorrect memory repeatedly encountered the same obstacle and never completed the journey.
    — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of encounter
Noun
  • The grand reveal of the MTPeak One-All managed to grab the spotlight with its looks, performance and sheer quality.
    — New Atlas, New Atlas, 7 Nov. 2026
  • Tesla’s Cybertruck, the hulking, stainless-steel pickup that inspired devotion and derision with its science-fiction looks, will cease production next year.
    — ABC News, ABC News, 6 Nov. 2026
Definition of looks
Noun
  • Its glassy face leans into a zigzag pattern across its facades and from some angles looks like a retro video game.
    — Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 1 Nov. 2026
  • The hashtag #saltbae, in gold vinyl, is the largest text on Saarinen’s facade.
    — Alec Mapes-Frances, Artforum, 1 Nov. 2026
Definition of facade
Noun
  • Among the terminated is a welder, Choi Ho-seok (Sul Kyung-gu), who wears a frown so implacable that it might have been etched in steel.
    — Justin Chang, New Yorker, 23 Oct. 2026
  • The late-night host teasingly drew his face into a frown in order to copy Washington’s facial expression.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
Definition of frown
Noun
  • The new law may create a problem for HOA buildings protected by Mills Act agreements, in which property owners agree permanently not to alter historic building exteriors in exchange for property tax benefits.
    — Kelly G. Richardson, Oc Register, 7 Nov. 2026
  • The exterior of the chimney is constructed using New England granite stones laid by an expert mason.
    — Tim Carter, Hartford Courant, 7 Nov. 2026
Definition of exterior

Phrases Containing face

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facades
face
faced
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Cite this Entry

“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 8 Nov. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on face

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about face

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