as in to frown
to distort one's face
playgoers grimaced at the actor's terrible attempt at a French accent
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scowl
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
he made a grimace when he tasted the medicine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of grimace
Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
But their heaviest songs could just as easily hold their own against Metallica without having to grimace or sneer.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Even though the couple filmed the skit after class to be respectful of the other participants, the sweat and grimaces weren’t just for show.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grimace
Verb
But while running in from third to score, Abreu began grimacing and was removed from the game the following inning.
—Mac Cerullo, Boston Herald, 17 Aug. 2025
But their heaviest songs could just as easily hold their own against Metallica without having to grimace or sneer.
—Ed Masley, AZCentral.com, 12 Aug. 2025
Noun
In one image, Scales, who had won a Military Cross for his bravery at the front, wears a crooked grimace that suggests recent anguish.
—Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Even though the couple filmed the skit after class to be respectful of the other participants, the sweat and grimaces weren’t just for show.
—Ashley Vega, People.com, 9 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for grimace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimace
Verb
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According to Coker, Robb & Cannon, these consequences can also damage your case in family court, as judges generally frown on surveillance between spouses or co-parents.—
Tiffani Jackson,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
22 Sep. 2025
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Not explained is whether Makary would be happier if drug companies placed ads with immobile patients, frowns, and funereal music.—
John Tamny,
Forbes.com,
17 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Children can quickly detect their parent’s stress by the tone in their voice or the expression on their face, such as a furrowed brow or a scowl.—
Juli Fraga,
Time,
23 Sep. 2025
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And then there’s the U.S. Army officer who succeeds in apprehending Perfidia: Col. Steven J. Lockjaw, played in a graying military fade, with some fur on top and a martinet scowl, by Sean Penn.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Sep. 2025
Verb
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That video showed the cat staring sadly through a glass pane, showcasing yet again the intensity of her feelings about being separated from her owner.—
Maria Morava,
MSNBC Newsweek,
3 Oct. 2025
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The turnaround at Ralph Lauren Ralph Lauren was staring irrelevance in the face when Procter & Gamble veteran Patrice Louvet took over as CEO and brought the fashion brand back to its luxury roots.—
Diane Brady,
Fortune,
2 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Sanders actually pantomimed his answers, moving his mouth with no words coming out and smiling throughout.—
Ryan Morik,
FOXNews.com,
1 Oct. 2025
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Bolding responds as his daughter takes a step back and puts a hand over her mouth.—
Hannah Sacks,
PEOPLE,
1 Oct. 2025
Verb
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Norton, meanwhile, is having the time of his life sneering and rolling his eyes at the two younger men who have somehow become his boss.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
25 Sep. 2025
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The vintage tinges act as a motif throughout the track, backing Mr. Fantasy’s sing-talk approach that really showcases his vocal chops with his sneering falsetto on the pre-chorus and chorus.—
Jeff Benjamin,
Forbes.com,
15 Sep. 2025
Noun
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LaRoche, watching from the sixth row, shot a smirk right back to her.—
Jared Weiss,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
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John Lunn’s soaring score makes shots of Highclere Castle, which stands in for Downton Abbey, particularly magical; Anna Robbins’s luxurious costumes, all satin, lace, and brocade, are once again gorgeous; Nivola’s smirk is a welcome bit of Yankee attitude.—
Roxana Hadadi,
Vulture,
12 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grimace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimace. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
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