moue

as in grimace
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval a moue of distaste at the display of bad manners

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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 moue In her trademark cat-eye glasses, with her bitter-lemon moue, Hoffman, as Moth, is comedy just standing there; Harada, as Mustardseed, a warmth machine. New York Times, 24 Oct. 2021 Not just any moue, either, but a supermoue—a whole cultural attitude distilled into a single boffff. Anthony Lane, The New Yorker, 13 Mar. 2020 Pennywise, who sometimes takes the form of a giant spider-like monster, and whose pouty moue can suddenly sprout rows of sharp, brownish fangs, both feeds and feeds upon ordinary human viciousness. New York Times, 3 Sep. 2019
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moue
Noun
  • Throughout baseball history, such collisions have been met mostly with grimaces and shrugs.
    Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2025
  • Monday’s developments were greeted with grimace around town.
    Philip Elliott, Time, 7 Apr. 2025
Noun
  • And only after stomping around for almost two full minutes did Roberts finally retreat, trudging back to the clubhouse with a scowl on his face.
    Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 18 June 2025
  • The rout evened this three-game series and added a laugher to a rivalry usually played with scowls and gritted teeth.
    Bill Plunkett, Oc Register, 11 June 2025
Noun
  • Beantown frowns at each breaking news sounder on talk radio or ESPN insider post on social media.
    Bill Speros, Boston Herald, 2 July 2025
  • Jamie frowns and starts to twist a little on his barstool, turning to face the ocean — and away from me.
    Gabrielle Rockson, People.com, 12 June 2025
Noun
  • Vásquez Lasso hit Montano in the mouth area, and Montano shot the officer in the head, arm and leg as children and others in a nearby playground took cover.
    Madeline Buckley, Chicago Tribune, 14 July 2025
  • The kind guard in the lobby and my mother’s terrible, open mouth.
    Rebecca Chace July 14, Literary Hub, 14 July 2025
Noun
  • Which makes the Bills a playoff automatic — unless Josh Allen sits home and pouts.
    Nick Canepa, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 July 2025
  • Lips can get a bit of color too, via RMS Beauty’s Legendary Lip Oil packed with adaptogenic herbs, jojoba oil, vanilla extract, and bitter cherry seed oil to condition the pout.
    Kiana Murden, Vogue, 16 June 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Moue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moue. Accessed 18 Jul. 2025.

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