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
In the first quarter, Brunson exited with an apparent leg injury, frequently grimacing and favoring his right knee.
—
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
But the Hollywood adapters couldn’t be blamed for everything that seemed inherently clunky or, by now, dated about the musical’s book, parts of which were bound to leave a contemporary audience grimacing a little between all the grins the score provokes.
—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Anthony appeared to tweak his hand after checking his swing during his first-inning at bat, grimacing and flexing his hand after pulling up three quarters of the way through his follow through.
—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
The fifth-year senior also was seen grimacing in pain during the game.
—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Mark scored 29 for the Longhorns, grimacing and clearly in pain limping on his injured leg through the closing minutes when the sixth-year senior’s team needed him most.
—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Mark scored 29 for the Longhorns, grimacing and clearly in pain, limping on his injured leg through the closing minutes when the sixth-year senior's team needed him most.
—
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Mark scored 29 for the Longhorns, grimacing and clearly in pain limping on his injured leg through the closing minutes when the sixth-year senior’s team needed him most.
—
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
Ref Bankes initially ignored the wide-eyed protests of several Chelsea players to flash only his yellow card as Garnacho writhed, grimacing on the floor and clutching his left leg.
—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Alejandro Avila,
FOXNews.com,
4 June 2026
But the Hollywood adapters couldn’t be blamed for everything that seemed inherently clunky or, by now, dated about the musical’s book, parts of which were bound to leave a contemporary audience grimacing a little between all the grins the score provokes.
—
Chris Willman,
Variety,
27 May 2026
Anthony appeared to tweak his hand after checking his swing during his first-inning at bat, grimacing and flexing his hand after pulling up three quarters of the way through his follow through.
—
Mac Cerullo,
Boston Herald,
4 May 2026
The fifth-year senior also was seen grimacing in pain during the game.
—
Danny Davis,
Austin American Statesman,
28 Mar. 2026
Mark scored 29 for the Longhorns, grimacing and clearly in pain limping on his injured leg through the closing minutes when the sixth-year senior’s team needed him most.
—
Janie McCauley,
Chicago Tribune,
27 Mar. 2026
Mark scored 29 for the Longhorns, grimacing and clearly in pain, limping on his injured leg through the closing minutes when the sixth-year senior's team needed him most.
—
CBS News,
26 Mar. 2026
Mark scored 29 for the Longhorns, grimacing and clearly in pain limping on his injured leg through the closing minutes when the sixth-year senior’s team needed him most.
—
Dallas Morning News,
26 Mar. 2026
Ref Bankes initially ignored the wide-eyed protests of several Chelsea players to flash only his yellow card as Garnacho writhed, grimacing on the floor and clutching his left leg.
—
Richard Sutcliffe,
New York Times,
7 Mar. 2026
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimacing
Verb
-
This focuses readers on the all-black uniforms of the veiled pupils, who—in a long frame at the center of the page—sit between the looming, frowning teacher on the right and Marji on the left, who stands up to explain that her uncle was executed by the Islamic regime.
-
Woods, 50, is seen frowning in the photo, taken shortly after the legendary golfer was booked into jail on March 27 after his Land Rover rolled over in Jupiter Island, Florida.
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.
-
Modern tiki tends to take a lighter touch, using more abstract graphics, less imagery of women and scowling gods.
Verb
-
Beijing — When US and Israeli bombs first began falling on Iran at the end of February, China’s leaders were staring at the very real possibility of another friendly regime being decapitated, much like had happened with Venezuela only weeks before.
-
Yesterday, Barack Obama stood in the nearly same spot, now as a former president, staring up at a monument in his name.
Verb
-
Meanwhile, several Yankees, including Aaron Judge, Trent Grisham and Clarke Schmidt, could be seen smirking and smiling in the dugout as a trainer tended to Chisholm.
-
He was seen smirking in the courtroom, at times laughing, as prosecutors laid out their case for him to be detained.
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.
-
Newman’s God is laughing at our prayers, sneering at our cries for help.
Cite this Entry
“Grimacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimacing. Accessed 26 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
