faces 1 of 2

Definition of facesnext
present tense third-person singular of face
1
as in fronts
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
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4
as in encounters
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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faces

2 of 2

noun

plural of face
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 facades
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 grimaces
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 surfaces
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 expressions
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 faces
Verb
The ceasefire brokered by Pakistan still faces hurdles in the talks beginning Saturday, as Israel and Hezbollah militants have been trading fire along the border of southern Lebanon and Iran has set conditions before negotiations can begin. ABC News, 11 Apr. 2026 In 2026, Lawler faces a tough re-election as Democrats set their sights on his suburban district. Eduardo Cuevas, USA Today, 11 Apr. 2026 The crew also traveled by the far side of the moon, which always faces away from Earth and contains some of scientists’ biggest remaining questions that await answers. Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 11 Apr. 2026 Sacramento faces at least a $5 billion backlog of transportation improvements, with roughly $3 billion needed on roadways where people have been killed or severely injured, according to city officials. Chris Fusco. Story Produced With Ai Assistance, Sacbee.com, 11 Apr. 2026 On Sunday, Orbán faces the biggest challenge of his 16-year authoritarian rule as Hungary goes to the polls for a parliamentary election. Alexander Smith, NBC news, 11 Apr. 2026 One of the those drivers faces two counts of vehicle homicide after after one of the cars hit and killed a man crossing the street. CBS News, 11 Apr. 2026 Your 7th House of Bonds faces pressure as the Sun squares lucky Jupiter in your 10th House of Jobs, urging follow‑through on promises. Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026 This week’s announcement comes as Lamont vies for a third term as governor and the state faces a severe lack of housing that’s affordable and available to people with low incomes. Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 4 Apr. 2026
Noun
The red, white, and green of the Hungarian tricolor, projected onto buildings that surround the square, danced across their faces. Isaac Stanley-Becker, The Atlantic, 10 Apr. 2026 Voters’ familiarity with Harris gives her both a strength and a liability — her name recognition and experience have helped put her at the top of recent national polls, Kousser said, but voters often turn to fresher faces by the time primary elections come around. Justine McDaniel, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2026 When he was asked about the importance of bringing in new faces to attract fans, White emphasized fighting skill over star power. Jaelen Gilkey, CBS News, 10 Apr. 2026 Plenty of old faces return for brief scenes while new faces play more pivotal roles (including Anthony Timpano as Jamie, an infant in the original series, and Vaughan Murrae as Kelly, the result of Lois’ series-finale pregnancy reveal). Ben Travers, IndieWire, 10 Apr. 2026 There are a couple of other new faces joining the family in Life's Still Unfair, too. Wesley Stenzel, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Apr. 2026 All in our faces, the children say. Literary Hub, 3 Apr. 2026 All other Heat players are listed as available for Saturday, other than Terry Rozier, who remains on NBA leave as faces federal charges in the wake of the FBI gambling investigation. Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 3 Apr. 2026 Although Sigmund Freud was once one of the most recognizable faces of psychology, this scientific discipline has developed significantly since the time of his predominance. Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 Apr. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for faces
Verb
  • Named for the Kiawah people who called this island home when British settlers first arrived in 1670, Kiawah Island fronts the Atlantic with ten miles of beach.
    Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 Apr. 2026
  • The teen, who fronts his own band, performed an original song backed by an acoustic guitarist.
    Kathleen Perricone, Entertainment Weekly, 31 Mar. 2026
Verb
  • As Zhana’s health declines, Elene matures and eventually confronts her mother about her choices and their consequences.
    Matthew Carey, Deadline, 8 Apr. 2026
  • After The Boss exits, New Art confronts Curator, questioning the promise of visibility and a newfound purpose.
    Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2026
Verb
  • Diaz, for her part, noted that every person who encounters fame and success experiences it differently.
    Tommy McArdle, PEOPLE, 7 Apr. 2026
  • In San Francisco, Louise encounters an influencer who asks strangers on the street to rate their happiness on the same scale.
    Nina Mesfin, New Yorker, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • Granted, a picture can’t really tell us much aside from general looks.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 9 Apr. 2026
  • The soft pink color adds a light and airy feel to the room, while the reversible leaf print gives you two looks in one.
    Jacqueline Tempera, Better Homes & Gardens, 9 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • In a Castle Rock that's nearly unrecognizable today, Blanchard hopes the facades make viewers pause and honor the history of their town.
    Olivia Young, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Its exterior is most notable for its gently curving facades across the building’s west and south faces.
    Edward Keegan, Chicago Tribune, 5 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • And yet, the wry grimaces that followed said the quiet part out loud.
    Megan Feringa, New York Times, 30 Mar. 2026
  • In the video, Claffey tries to move Ansell away from the subject and grimaces at the camera when his costar seems to say a little too much.
    Shania Russell, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Bath bombs release dyes and oils that cling to porous or textured tub surfaces, making stains harder to remove.
    Caroline Lubinsky, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026
  • This is because washing meat or poultry can result in bacteria splashing on various kitchen surfaces, from the sink to the countertop to drawer handles.
    Stacey Lastoe, Southern Living, 10 Apr. 2026
Noun
  • The astronauts’ expressions of admiration and longing for Earth echo a long history of space explorers gaining new appreciation for their home planet.
    Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 8 Apr. 2026
  • Sometimes, lending a sympathetic ear on the phone is awkward because there are no facial expressions to fall back on.
    Judith Martin, Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Faces.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/faces. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.

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