RICTUS Synonyms: 28 Similar and Opposite Words

rictus

noun

Definition of rictus

as in smirk

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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 rictus One of the boys had turned back to the crowd, face skin twisted around wild eyes, red cheeks about to rip apart from the rictus. — Jeff Spry, Space.com, 18 May 2026 Its sheer loveliness almost completely undermines the menace of that rictus on the cover. — Sasha Geffen, Pitchfork, 21 Jan. 2026 Unlike Cesar Romero’s Joker from the child-friendly TV Batman, cheery and inane, Jack Nicholson’s version is fully monstrous—sneering and sadistic, his dead eyes obscene next to his rictus grin. — The Atlantic Culture Desk, The Atlantic, 29 Oct. 2025 There’s even the demand for NDAs and a magazine photoshoot at the enormous house, with everyone smiling their rictus grins. — Nina Metz, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025 Oldman’s features gradually freeze into a rictus of despair, and the lights go out. — Houman Barekat, New York Times, 28 Apr. 2025 The Mirror and the Light opens with that profoundly disturbing execution, Foy a pale rictus of fear and vulnerability as she is led to the block, where she is blindfolded and positioned before the executioner’s sword. — Taylor Antrim, Vogue, 20 Mar. 2025 With their teeth bared in a frozen rictus grin, this couple appears to be hiding a darkness which we are left only to guess at. — Naomi Fry, The New Yorker, 15 Mar. 2025

Recent Examples of Synonyms for rictus

Noun

Orlando Bloom flashes a shirtless smirk while on vacation in Marmi, Italy on July 26.

— Stephanie Sengwe, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026
His trademark smirk and knowing stare are now feared by any opponent up against Norway, but don’t be fooled into thinking Haaland isn’t serious about his career.

— Ben Church, CNN Money, 11 July 2026

Definition of smirk

Noun

Arguably the standout set of the entire festival, her set was grimy and dark, featuring songs off her new album, Music, Fashion, Film, for the first time with a permanent snarl.

— Jason P. Frank, Vulture, 3 Aug. 2026
The wildly popular Instagram page was offline for a hot minute, leaving the general pop pining for videos on the myriad zany happenings in our city, from traffic snarls and celebrity shenanigans to animal encounters and fights outside the club.

— Madeleine Marr, Miami Herald, 30 July 2026

Definition of snarl

Noun

Sandoval, in comparison, sneers and simpers to no success whatsoever; his bad behavior, on and off The Traitors, yields nothing.

— Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025
Today’s announcement marks the emergence of a new GE, a high-tech industrial GE — simper, stronger, a more focused company at the core.

— Jon Chesto, BostonGlobe.com, 26 June 2018

Definition of simper

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“Rictus.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/rictus. Accessed 12 Aug. 2026.

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Synonyms of rictus

noun

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