GRIMACE Synonyms: 40 Similar and Opposite Words

grimace 1 of 2

verb

Definition of grimace

as in to scowl

to distort one's face playgoers grimaced at the actor's terrible attempt at a French accent

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grimace

2 of 2

noun

ˈgri-məs

as in scowl

a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval he made a grimace when he tasted the medicine

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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 grimace

Verb

Clark immediately started limping and grimaced as she was subbed out. — James Boyd, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2026 Garner started the video with a clip of her drinking leftovers from the drink container and seemingly getting a brain freeze, holding her hand to her forehead and grimacing. — Chiara Kim, PEOPLE, 3 Aug. 2026

Noun

He was immortalized in a perpetual full-body muscle flex, and bore the grimace of a guy who really, really wants to pick a fight. — Richard Edwards, Space.com, 1 June 2026 And Ahmed, with his fearful eyes and tense grimace, makes for a compellingly sad and isolated figure. — Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 14 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grimace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimace

Verb

Suzanne, the sulky, artistic type, scowls and pointedly ignores their noisy energy.

— Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2026
That is one of the tantalizing questions bubbling up in A Talent for Murder, in which Helen Mirren embodies Highsmith in all her devious, scowling genius.

— Caryn James, HollywoodReporter, 14 Sep. 2026

Definition of scowl

Noun

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
Lee indulges that emotional ambiguity, the way the pedal steel can blur the distinction between a frown and a smile.

— Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026

Definition of frown

Verb

Imagine staring up at the stars through a skylight, a mug of chamomile in hand and a fire crackling in the wood stove.

— Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 27 Sep. 2026
His life trajectory changed when one client, a woman in her 50s, tired of staring at the stark white demarcation line every three weeks, begged him to take her gray.

— Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 25 Sep. 2026

Definition of stare

Noun

Orion gave a smirk and thumbs up to the camera while Keats made a funny face and stuck his tongue out.

— Kayla Grant, PEOPLE, 19 Aug. 2026
His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of smirk

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Style

“Grimace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimace. Accessed 29 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of grimace

verb

noun

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