squinch 1 of 2

verb

ˈskwinch How to pronounce squinch (audio)
Definition of squinchnext
1
as in to crouch
to lie low with the limbs close to the body squinched down to fit under the table

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2
as in to distort
to twist (something) out of a natural or normal shape or condition squinched up her eyes in disgust

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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

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squinch

2 of 2

noun

as in grimace

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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 squinch
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
First, atop the cube sits an octagonal structure with arched squinches angled across each corner. — Judith H. Dobrzynski, WSJ, 4 May 2018 Take Karlie Kloss for example, who at Tuesday night's Paper Towns premiere, showed off her propensity for a professional squinch. — Lauren Valenti, Marie Claire, 23 July 2015
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squinch
  1. crouch
  2. distort
  3. flinch
  4. grimace
  5. huddle
  6. curl
  7. wince
  8. frown
Verb
  • As Kimbrel got set to face Marlins first baseman Kyle Stowers, the right-hander crouched near the mound as liquid spewed from his mouth before the broadcast camera cut away.
    — Johnny Flores Jr, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Like ballplayers just before the pitch, animal control crouched into position, with thick metal grabbers, nooses, and nets at the ready.
    — Zachary Przystup, Christian Science Monitor, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of crouch
Verb
  • In the twenty-tens, modern investigations made clear that the work was in danger of becoming distorted by this display, which would need to be redesigned.
    — John Phipps, New Yorker, 5 Sep. 2026
  • However, landmasses are greatly distorted toward the poles, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere.
    — Jewel Bright, NPR, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of distort
Verb
  • The Value Of Clarity​ Clarity is the ability to answer three questions without flinching.
    — Andrew Kokes, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2026
  • The brand is often compared to Dyson, a parallel Ozener doesn’t flinch at.
    — Ritu Upadhyay, Footwear News, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of flinch
Noun
  • During his cross-examination, the pain became obvious in McDonald’s grimace.
    — Jeff Weiss, HollywoodReporter, 1 Sep. 2026
  • In the fifth inning, Soto fouled a ball off his right leg, eliciting a grimace from him and attention from both an athletic trainer and Green.
    — Will Sammon, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026
Definition of grimace
Verb
  • Co-stars Sofia Boutella, Bill Pullman and Daniel Zovatto also huddled warmly with the director.
    — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 4 Sep. 2026
  • Thirty minutes before the preseason finale, and before leaving the field from pregame warmups for the final time as a 19-man band, the Falcons’ defensive backs huddled and brought their fists together on the Hard Rock Stadium sideline.
    — Daniel Flick, AJC.com, 4 Sep. 2026
Definition of huddle
Verb
  • She’s played with a darkly enigmatic, unnerving quality by James in her finest work to date — a knowing, even domineering smile often curling around her lips.
    — Tomris Laffly, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
  • The faster lines already have started to curl higher, as well.
    — Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2026
Definition of curl
Verb
  • Ohtani, who hasn’t pitched since July 3 due to lingering knee and biceps issues, winced in pain throughout his eight-pitch at-bat against reliever Riley O’Brien, seeming to strain himself with every muscle flex, let alone big-league hacks.
    — Assistant Sports Editor, Los Angeles Times, 3 Sep. 2026
  • Toxicologist Fernández has stayed in touch with his patient and still winces about how Mark feared reporting the crime to the police could reflect poorly on him professionally.
    — Mattha Busby, Rolling Stone, 19 Aug. 2026
Definition of wince
Noun
  • The late-night host teasingly drew his face into a frown in order to copy Washington’s facial expression.
    — Kimberlee Speakman, PEOPLE, 14 Aug. 2026
  • Lee indulges that emotional ambiguity, the way the pedal steel can blur the distinction between a frown and a smile.
    — Grayson Haver Currin, Pitchfork, 20 July 2026
Definition of frown

Browse Nearby Words

squiggling
squinch
squinched
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Cite this Entry

“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about squinch

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