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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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

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
They are expected to face an extradition hearing on Monday before being transferred back to North Carolina to face charges. Alexandra Koch, FOXNews.com, 9 May 2026 Price, who has represented the district since 2013, faces a dozen felony charges, including grand theft by embezzlement of public funds, conflict of interest and perjury. Teresa Liu, Daily News, 9 May 2026
Noun
Certain beauty and skincare essentials aren’t conducive to being poured into reusable bottles, but for the ones that are—like shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion, and face wash—refillable silicone bottles save an enormous amount of space in a toiletry bag. Kayla Kitts, Travel + Leisure, 9 May 2026 In Game 1 versus Colorado, Hartman was called for holding Avalanche star defenseman Cale Makar, and Makar responded with a punch to the face. Jess Myers, Twin Cities, 9 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
  • Galvin later confronted the man who had messaged Kianna, who told her several different stories, according to Childs’ report.
    Gloria Casas, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026
  • But activists say Beijing is becoming less willing to release prisoners who have confronted it over human rights.
    ABC News, ABC News, 9 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
  • Upon arrival in the early morning, crews encountered heavy smoke and flames.
    Kayla Bartkowski, Los Angeles Times, 10 May 2026
  • Consumers who may never attend a fashion week can encounter Saudi brands through viral videos, celebrity endorsements, or influencer styling.
    FMG Studios, Footwear News, 10 May 2026
Noun
  • Standing next to my thirteen-year-old brother, Andreas, who did inherit our mother’s good looks, only seemed to amplify my ugliness.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 7 May 2026
  • My cocktail, Jesus Can’t Hit a Curveball, was decidedly undramatic in the looks department, but its combination of gin, ginger, celery and serrano peppers was phenomenally vegetal and refreshing.
    Jess Fleming, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026
Noun
  • Historic preservation is often dismissed as nostalgia, the hobby of people who prefer old facades to modern needs.
    Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 6 May 2026
  • My mosaic facade, titled Human Dignity Shall Be Inviolable, covers the German pavilion at scale.
    Pablo Larios, Artforum, 6 May 2026
Noun
  • The Spaniard left hurriedly, carrying a frown that owed to a sense of injustice.
    Jacob Tanswell, New York Times, 1 May 2026
  • 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
Noun
  • The sign on the building’s exterior has been replaced by a banner from fellow local Mexican brand El Semáforo, which specializes in tacos and birria dishes.
    Michael Deeds, Idaho Statesman, 6 May 2026
  • The Abbey Resort Fontana, Wisconsin Set on 90 acres with a distinctive A-frame exterior, The Abbey Resort is Lake Geneva’s only full-service resort and boasts a long history as a Midwest vacation spot.
    Beth Luberecki, USA Today, 6 May 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 12 May. 2026.

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