grimacing

verb

present participle of grimace
as in frowning
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

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 On Monday’s episode of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show, a grimacing Stewart was flabbergasted at why, exactly, the president elbowed his way into a spotlight clearly not intended for him. — Greg Evans, Deadline, 21 July 2026 Seigler remained down for several minutes, bleeding from one arm and grimacing in pain as interim manager Chad Tracy and trainers rushed out to check him for a head injury. — Gabrielle Starr, Boston Herald, 9 July 2026 But the Canadian dug in to hold, and Djokovic was still grimacing in pain in between points. — Ava Wallace, New York Times, 7 July 2026 Adames departed Sunday’s game against the Atlanta Braves due to back spasms after striking out to end the seventh inning, noticeably grimacing during the follow-through of his swing. — Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 3 July 2026 Murdaugh was grimacing and biting his lower lip during the exchange. — Jeffrey Collins, Los Angeles Times, 29 June 2026 On Wallace’s third attempt, David accepts the letter while grimacing. — Erin Jensen, USA Today, 27 June 2026 But there’s also a lot of competitive animosity, puffing out, and out grimacing each other. — Lily Moayeri, SPIN, 25 June 2026 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimacing
  1. frowning
  2. scowling
  3. staring
  4. smirking
  5. sneering
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.
    — Hillary Chute, The Atlantic, 9 June 2026
  • 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.
    — Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 3 Apr. 2026
Definition of frowning
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 scowling
Verb
  • On top of that, many schools have kids spending lots of time on screens, even though staring at them for long periods can be stressful and exhausting.
    — Kara Alaimo, CNN Money, 3 Aug. 2026
  • Residents will encounter him perched on the air conditioner just outside their apartment, staring in.
    — Owen Gleiberman, Variety, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of staring
Verb
  • As the actor who originated the role, Johnson fares a bit better as Maui, smirking and preening and repeatedly tossing Moana off her own boat in attempts to commandeer it for himself.
    — Alison Willmore, Vulture, 8 July 2026
  • The noble consort takes the empress’s place, smirking, and stealthily pushes her down the stairs when no one is watching.
    — Lavender Au, The Dial, 30 June 2026
Definition of smirking
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
  • Newman’s God is laughing at our prayers, sneering at our cries for help.
    — Time, Time, 6 May 2026
Definition of sneering

Browse Nearby Words

grimaces
grimacing
grime
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Cite this Entry

“Grimacing.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimacing. Accessed 3 Aug. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on grimacing

Nglish: Translation of grimacing for Spanish Speakers

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