moue

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

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 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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for moue
Noun
  • In an alarming sight for an already-banged-up inside linebacker room, Greenlaw pulled up with a grimace after covering J.K. Dobbins on an LB-RB one-on-one pass-coverage drill.
    Luca Evans, Denver Post, 31 July 2025
  • In one image, Scales, who had won a Military Cross for his bravery at the front, wears a crooked grimace that suggests recent anguish.
    Ed Caesar, New Yorker, 13 July 2025
Noun
  • Klára tries to keep him away but Berend, a sweaty, sour beast of a man who wears a permanent scowl, insistently shoves his way into the household.
    David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 28 Aug. 2025
  • Serve up in a stemmed glass, and garnish with a scowl, or perhaps a war story.
    Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 11 July 2025
Noun
  • Firefighters batter Stephen Cullen stared up at Dullaghan from the plate with a frown on his face before giving the fan a thumbs down.
    Kirk Kenney, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Sep. 2025
  • Luckily, life is going to improve in nearly every way going forward, so proceed with a smile rather than a frown.
    Kyle Thomas, People.com, 10 Aug. 2025
Noun
  • Their feces leave parasites on a person’s skin, and the parasites can go into a person’s body via the eyes, mouth, or an open wound.
    Chantelle Lee, Time, 10 Sep. 2025
  • Instead of the old-school triangle eyes and jagged mouth designs, this year's top trends are all about mixing tradition with fresh tools and vibrant colors.
    Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Sep. 2025
Noun
  • While Shrek pouts about missing his solo ogre days, the dastardly Rumpelstiltskin takes advantage, offering him a contract to relive that romanticized time in his life — for a day.
    Skyler Trepel September 1, EW.com, 1 Sep. 2025
  • Performance-wise, Jude Law is a surprisingly effective Putin, getting the President’s pout to perfection, and giving him a slightly abrasive Estuary English accent.
    Damon Wise, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Moue.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/moue. Accessed 17 Sep. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!