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

But there’s also a lot of competitive animosity, puffing out, and out grimacing each other. — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 25 June 2026 In the fifth inning, Pasquantino grimaced in pain after a swing at the plate. — Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 14 June 2026

Noun

But as his play-by-play partner and Thursday night’s emcee, Eric Collins, geared up to invite another guest up to the podium, the big smile Curry had had at the ready all evening turned into a grimace. — Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 20 Mar. 2026 Pitching coach Ruben Niebla offered something between a smile and a grimace when Miller’s changeup was broached. — Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grimace

Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimace

Verb

As a 7-year-old, I’d entertain my father’s friends, at their weekly pickup game at a Bronx barn-house gymnasium, by imitating his game face—bottom lip jutting, eyes scowling.

— Sean Gregory, Time, 14 June 2026
Modern tiki tends to take a lighter touch, using more abstract graphics, less imagery of women and scowling gods.

— Michael Goldstein, Forbes.com, 17 May 2026

Definition of scowl

Verb

His suns stare curiously from one side of a page spread to another and his stacks of hay worriedly study the horizon, while his one-eyed stools and one-eyed fenceposts pop up like eager cyclopses.

— Casey Cep, New Yorker, 7 July 2026
No foul was assessed in real time, and the red card was awarded only after the official stared at a slow-motion replay.

— Jonathan Lemire, The Atlantic, 7 July 2026

Definition of stare

Verb

Cassie’s OnlyFans adventures, for interest, were depicted with a kind of sneering derision toward the character’s poor judgement and lack of savvy.

— Alison Herman, Variety, 1 June 2026
In a recent video interview, Windolf noted that there are plenty of Beatle fans who find Dylan abrasive and overrated, while there are Dylanologists who sneer at the pop songwriting of Lennon and McCartney.

— Stuart Miller, Oc Register, 1 June 2026

Definition of sneer

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“Grimace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimace. Accessed 11 Jul. 2026.

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Synonyms of grimace

verb

noun

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