1
2
as in to distort
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition
squinched up her eyes in disgust
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to flinch
to draw back in fear, pain, or disgust
didn't squinch a bit when the intruder pulled a knife on him
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squinch
Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018
Here, she's added parted lips, slightly sucked-in cheeks, and a subtle chin tilt on top of her master squinch.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 18 Jan. 2022
To deepen the illusion that life is just one big fashion spread, we've been trained to 1) smize, 2) duck face, 3) squinch, and now, 4) fish gape.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Verb
Brick squinches, here decorated with windows and patterns mimicking those below, are not unique to the Samanid mausoleum.
—Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018
Here, she's added parted lips, slightly sucked-in cheeks, and a subtle chin tilt on top of her master squinch.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Noun
Some boys and girls look directly at the camera, while others squinch up their faces.
—Mary Carole McCauley, baltimoresun.com, 18 Jan. 2022
To deepen the illusion that life is just one big fashion spread, we've been trained to 1) smize, 2) duck face, 3) squinch, and now, 4) fish gape.
—Chelsea Peng, Marie Claire, 1 Oct. 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squinch
Verb
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This spring, my grandson crouched beside me to plant peas, 20 years after his father helped dig the first bed.—
The Washington Post,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
30 Aug. 2025
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In footage shared by the AP, the leopard was seen crouching on the ground next to the boy's vehicle before chasing the car and leaping at the window.—
Gabrielle Rockson,
People.com,
19 Aug. 2025
Verb
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In a world where images are so numerous and so difficult to understand, truth itself can be in danger, threatened by false interpretations and distorted, misleading half-truths.—
Literary Hub,
Literary Hub,
3 Sep. 2025
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Executives may tone down accomplishments to avoid internal friction, which can distort messaging.—
Adrian Dearnell,
Forbes.com,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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The last time Congress faced a deadline to extend government funding, Senate Democrats flinched, giving Republicans the votes needed to avert a government shutdown without extracting any concessions.—
Nik Popli,
Time,
4 Sep. 2025
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Share relevant proof that mirrors their situation, name your price without flinching, and close with one clear question.—
Jodie Cook,
Forbes.com,
25 Aug. 2025
Noun
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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
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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
Verb
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Princess Kate, Prince William and the students were seen huddling together to hide from the downpour.—
Stephanie Petit,
PEOPLE,
4 Sep. 2025
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The event was broadcast live on YouTube, and groups of people sat on the grassy lawn in front of the Capitol huddled together around their phones, listening to the survivors, whose voices echoed across the wide square.—
Emily Goodin,
Miami Herald,
3 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Erdman said most models show Gabrielle eventually curling northward into the Atlantic.—
John Bacon,
USA Today,
4 Sep. 2025
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The Nuggets thrive on forcing defenders into impossible choices, and Johnson’s ability to drive-and-kick off curling actions adds yet another layer of stress to opponents.—
Joel Rush,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
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Aramayo is excellent in the role, easily transversing between John’s pain and confusion and a wincing humor about the whole situation.—
Kate Erbland,
IndieWire,
7 Sep. 2025
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Sideline reporter Stacey Dales said on the YouTube broadcast that Worthy was wincing in pain and went to the X-ray room.—
Jesse Newell,
New York Times,
6 Sep. 2025
Noun
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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
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The aim was to encode the various nuanced ways human faces transmit states of mind, and then to visualize them; smiles and frowns are the barest beginning.—
Dan Rockmore,
New Yorker,
9 Aug. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 11 Sep. 2025.
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