face 1 of 2

Definition of facenext
1
as in to front
to stand or sit with the face or front toward the house faces the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean

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as in to encounter
to enter into contest or conflict with the Boston Red Sox were eager to face their traditional rivals, the Yankees, in the play-offs

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

face

2 of 2

noun

1
as in looks
the front part of the head the criminal hid his face from the news cameras as he slumped into the patrol car

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2
as in front
a forward part or surface the face of the store building has been altered many times over the years to meet changing tastes and needs

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3
as in frown
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval it's rude to make a face when your dinner hostess offers you broccoli

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4
as in exterior
an outer part or layer a much-needed sandblasting revealed that the face of the old stone church is actually a pinkish granite

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5
as in look
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling a rainy day is no excuse for just moping around with a long face, so let's do something

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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 face
Verb
The agency has struggled to meet federal and state deadlines, with over one-third of cash assistance cases still facing delays as of late 2024 and throughout 2025. Voice Of The People, New York Daily News, 20 Feb. 2026 Nationwide, millions of Americans face barriers to employment due to low-level criminal records. Curtis Reed, Chicago Tribune, 20 Feb. 2026
Noun
The decision to continue normal royal duties was more than just an example of British stoicism in the face of the monarchy’s biggest crisis in almost a century. ABC News, 21 Feb. 2026 Today, Fieri is one of the most recognizable faces in food on television. Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 21 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
  • Wallace has fronted the hugely successful YA Culpables franchise for Amazon and could therefore bring a hefty teen audience to The House of the Spirits.
    Max Goldbart, Deadline, 17 Feb. 2026
  • Before becoming a professional songwriter, Steinberg spent the late-Seventies and early-Eighties fronting a New Wave band, Billy Thermal.
    Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • As recovery, new connections, and an unexpected romance offer hope, Junie must confront her past and learn whether forgiveness is truly possible.
    Kait Hanson, Southern Living, 21 Feb. 2026
  • Over the past several years, Maryland’s legislature has taken important steps to confront the growing threat posed by PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, to public health and the environment.
    Peter Blair, Baltimore Sun, 21 Feb. 2026
Verb
  • Today it can be seen cladding a Qantas 787 Dreamliner in giant red webs and white spots.
    Susan Tallman, The Atlantic, 2 Feb. 2026
  • Horizontal wood paneling clads this chimney from floor to ceiling instead of the usual brick or stone.
    Zoe Gowen, Southern Living, 29 Dec. 2025
Verb
  • They’re typically encountered at ports of entry by federal agents, and receive notices to appear in immigration court, usually in one to three years.
    Shawn Tully, Fortune, 22 Feb. 2026
  • The gold also caps off a four-year cycle during which Gu struggled with panic attacks and encountered online trolling in both the United States and China, where some citizens see her as a privileged interloper.
    Sean Gregory, Time, 22 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • As a brand that always incorporates its tried-and-true pieces as well as new looks into each collection, this is an opportunity for Wrangler to either introduce new consumers to our classic denim (like the Cowboy Cuts) or to get the more traditional Wrangler denim fans into our newer styles.
    Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 19 Feb. 2026
  • His face remains an ever-changing canvas of knowing looks, shifting eyes, and sly smiles, and his comedic timing is sharp as ever.
    Laura Bradley, Vulture, 19 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Now, the spot has undergone a careful restoration of its facades just steps from Como’s city center.
    Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 18 Feb. 2026
  • There’s enormous relief in letting go of the facade of perfect containment or the need to perform goodness.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 18 Feb. 2026
Noun
  • Not a quiver in his lips, yet his frown growing.
    Noah White, Miami Herald, 3 Dec. 2025
  • My best friend Russell is an acupuncturist, and seemed like the perfect person to place my tape, slapping it on my frown lines, crow’s-feet, and nasolabial folds.
    Lena Dunham, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2025
Noun
  • Small, intentional touches can instantly brighten your home’s exterior.
    Lauren Jones, Southern Living, 18 Feb. 2026
  • The exterior of the beloved Art Deco building won’t change, Marks said.
    Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 18 Feb. 2026

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Cite this Entry

“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 23 Feb. 2026.

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