as in frowning
to distort one's face
playgoers grimaced at the actor's terrible attempt at a French accent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
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 grimacing
Miller could be seen bending over and grimacing after the fateful pitch, in an obvious degree of pain.
—
Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
In the new logo, which the university said was designed in-house, the mascot's grimacing expression is the same, but his fists are down.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025
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
Jon Vankin, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025
In the new logo, which the university said was designed in-house, the mascot's grimacing expression is the same, but his fists are down.
—Andrew Greif, NBC news, 21 Aug. 2025
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimacing
Verb
-
Ray’s brother, Jem (Sean Bean), has shown up to reconnect, and for a long time these two sit around not saying very much, pouring drinks and scowling at each other, at one point getting their ya-yas out with a midnight rock ‘n’ roll dance, then scowling some more.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
28 Sep. 2025
-
His real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio; his stage name, as fans later learned, was inspired by a childhood photograph that captured him, scowling, in a rabbit costume.—
Kelefa Sanneh,
New Yorker,
15 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
At the end of a disastrous season, the New York Mets are staring at a lot of obstacles.—
Jackson Roberts,
MSNBC Newsweek,
30 Sep. 2025
-
The teacher noticed Aburto Guzman take his laptop out of his red backpack, place it on the table and begin staring outside the window, according to an interview with police.—
Noe Padilla,
IndyStar,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
The Poets smirking at us in the garden, their coats blowing open like bat wings.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
24 Sep. 2025
-
Cary Grant built a career on smirking suavity; Cate Blanchett has made an art form of falling apart with tragic intensity.—
Inkoo Kang,
New Yorker,
22 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
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
-
Unlike The Beatles, Oasis arrived in the US with trademark sneering entitlement.—
Rob Picheta,
CNN Money,
28 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Grimacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimacing. Accessed 8 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share