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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to clad
to cover with something that protects
we decided to face our old frame house with aluminum siding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grimace
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
it's rude to make a face when your dinner hostess offers you broccoli
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
on the face of it, the country went to war for noble reasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in person
a member of the human race
I see they've hired some new faces
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gall
shameless boldness
you have to wonder how anyone has the face to ask such a personal question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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
Chandelis Duster, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
In recent years, he's faced his fair share of legal troubles.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Oct. 2025
While Kelce has embraced Kansas City with open arms, the city has done the same for his bride-to-be, with local businesses even flying flags with Swift's face on them, Fulk says.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face
Verb
McIlroy has faced the brunt of the insults from spectators, who also jeered and yelled at his wife throughout the weekend.
—Chandelis Duster, NPR, 28 Sep. 2025
In recent years, he's faced his fair share of legal troubles.
—Adam England, PEOPLE, 28 Sep. 2025
Noun
Naughton wore a black ensemble to the event that bared her midriff, and her cheekbones stood out in the photos posted due to her slimmer face.
—Elizabeth Ayoola, Essence, 4 Oct. 2025
While Kelce has embraced Kansas City with open arms, the city has done the same for his bride-to-be, with local businesses even flying flags with Swift's face on them, Fulk says.
—Meredith Wilshere, PEOPLE, 4 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
-
After graduating from the Chicago Academy of Art and then the Berklee College of Music in 2001, Tranter fronted the glam-rock revival group Semi Precious Weapons, gaining famous fans like Lady Gaga, Katy Perry and Sam Smith.—
Ethan Millman,
HollywoodReporter,
1 Oct. 2025
-
The luxury fragrance, skin care and color cosmetics brand, launched by its namesake founder, has officially tapped global sensation Celine Dion to front its 2025 holiday campaign.—
Kaleigh Werner,
Footwear News,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These religious leaders are confronting a wave of violence.—
Nicole Fallert,
USA Today,
3 Oct. 2025
-
On April 19, dental surgeon Akintunde Bowden, 41, was shot and killed at his Brown Deer apartment complex after confronting a neighbor about noise.—
Claudia Levens,
jsonline.com,
3 Oct. 2025
Verb
-
These approvals would enable architects and developers to use SUPERWOOD as cladding on taller buildings.—
Georgina Jedikovska,
Interesting Engineering,
2 Sep. 2025
-
That’s good, but cladding a phone whose raison d’etre is gorgeous, slim design seems less than ideal.—
David Phelan,
Forbes.com,
4 May 2025
Verb
-
Phillies play reliever roulette Righty David Robertson entered when Cristopher Sánchez encountered trouble in the sixth, putting away pinch hitter Max Muncy, a lefty batter.—
Charlotte Varnes,
New York Times,
5 Oct. 2025
-
There he was flabbergasted to discover video footage of a woman wearing a dark Balenciaga sack dress on the streets of Paris in the ’50s, encountering curiosity and visible scorn.—
Miles Socha,
Footwear News,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Swift is a huge source of costume inspiration every year, but this year's looks are likely to be even more prolific in the wake of the engagement news.—
Mary Walrath-Holdridge,
USA Today,
4 Oct. 2025
-
All of these different looks show up later in the lyric videos, via brief video loops that run behind the giant-sized lyric excerpts.—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
4 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Every groove of San Siro’s concrete facade tells a different story.—
James Horncastle,
New York Times,
1 Oct. 2025
-
Choose from Bat Knit Crazy Cheddar, Death by Garlic Black Garlic Cheddar, Freaky Franken Sage Derby, or Scary Pumpkin Spice Wensleydale for high-quality cheeses that are only spooky in façade.—
Abigail Wilt,
Southern Living,
1 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
Thomas turned around and squeezed DeChambeau’s leg with anxiety, his face in a nervous grimace.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
-
Per the season's sneak peek, this year's voyage pairs steamy trysts among the crew with some grimace-worthy incidents, from jellyfish sightings and jet ski accidents (and what looks to be a lone charter guest floating out to sea on a raft).—
Randall Colburn,
Entertainment Weekly,
29 Sep. 2025
Noun
-
These ultra-modern jets, still in development, have eliminated traditional passenger cabin windows entirely, replacing them with virtual ones that display real-time views from high-definition cameras mounted around the aircraft’s exterior.—
Mack DeGeurin,
Popular Science,
2 Oct. 2025
-
While the skyscraper's exterior has already become an illuminated ornament on Detroit's skyline, the interior isn't yet finished, and the hotel and condos aren't expected until 2027.—
JC Reindl,
Freep.com,
2 Oct. 2025
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 5 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share