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
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
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
Verb
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
Noun
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squinch
Verb
-
My first glimpse of a gorilla was brief, a large male on the path ahead, crouching, his fists pressed into the soil.—
Holden Frith,
TheWeek,
9 Jan. 2026
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As Rathbun and other officers retreated, Webster clenched both fists, crouched into a linebacker’s stance, and charged into Rathbun, knocking him to the ground.—
Jamie Thompson,
The Atlantic,
6 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
This is why the contestants sound distorted when talking during the show.—
Skyler Caruso,
PEOPLE,
7 Jan. 2026
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Freedom from want mattered because deprivation distorts judgment.—
Philip Martin,
Washington Post,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Sheinbaum quickly moves away and visibly flinches as the man attempts to put his arm around her.—
Ellie Cook,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
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In the bottom of the third, Yesavage’s only blemish of the game came on a 2-0 count to Enrique Hernandez, who didn’t flinch at a splitter up in the zone.—
Scott Thompson,
FOXNews.com,
30 Oct. 2025
Noun
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Will, in response, contorts his entire face into a terrible grimace.—
Jason P. Frank,
Vulture,
30 Oct. 2025
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Thomas turned around and squeezed DeChambeau’s leg with anxiety, his face in a nervous grimace.—
Brody Miller,
New York Times,
29 Sep. 2025
Verb
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In the hour leading up to the parade were brief periods of heavy rain as attendees began gathering on Colorado Boulevard, where fold-up chairs were empty as people huddled under various building awnings or archways.—
Paris Barraza,
USA Today,
1 Jan. 2026
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Many of the attendees huddled together, wearing hats, scarves and oversized coats.—
Rosemary Feitelberg,
Footwear News,
1 Jan. 2026
Verb
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Robinson got confused, tried to switch onto the curling Dixon-Waters while his defender, Chuck Bailey III, also trailed him to the wing, leaving Gwath alone under the basket for an easy dunk.—
Mark Zeigler,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
7 Jan. 2026
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In winter, enjoy the festive Christmas market at Römerberg, take in the fairytale atmosphere of the winter lights at the Palm Garden, or watch a local variation of curling played amid the skyscrapers at Skyline Plaza.—
CNT Editors,
Condé Nast Traveler,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
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In a video of the incident, Tricia lets out a loud scream and winces as the champagne drips from her hair, into her eyes and onto her face.—
Angel Saunders,
PEOPLE,
31 Oct. 2025
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The actress was shown wincing in pain before being escorted out of the ballroom on a stretcher into an ambulance.—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
30 Oct. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 11 Jan. 2026.
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