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
-
Inside a drop-like form with a long, straight tail is the lower part of a human body, crouched and holding its knees below a large sphere with an open perforation at the top.—
Annalisa Merelli,
STAT,
19 Feb. 2026
-
The girl crouches because there is no room to stand.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026
Verb
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This concentration distorts markets, raises costs for families, threatens national security, and removes decisions from Texans’ hands.—
Eleanor Dearman,
Fort Worth Star-Telegram,
14 Feb. 2026
-
Since his return to office in 2025, this firehose of lies has only accelerated, distorting everything from economic data to constitutional law.—
Letters to the Editor,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Many critics are now calling out CBS for flinching rather than forcefully standing up to politically motivated intimidation.—
Brian Stelter,
CNN Money,
18 Feb. 2026
-
And Bobby’s just not flinching.—
Alison Weinflash,
Rolling Stone,
18 Feb. 2026
Noun
-
In the video, Claffey tries to move Ansell away from the subject and grimaces at the camera when his costar seems to say a little too much.—
Shania Russell,
Entertainment Weekly,
17 Feb. 2026
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After Malinin botched his final free in the singles competition, Cowan kept his distance as the skater crumbled into a grimace of abject disappointment.—
Colleen Barry,
Chicago Tribune,
16 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Six of the skiers huddled in a makeshift shelter constructed with tarpaulin sheets.—
Ramon Padilla,
USA Today,
19 Feb. 2026
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Trump’s top national security advisers huddled in the Situation Room of the White House on Wednesday to discuss Iran, according to a senior administration official.—
Gordon Lubold,
NBC news,
19 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Vinicius Jr received a pass from team-mate Kylian Mbappe, dribbled away from Benfica right-back Amar Dedic and curled a superb right-footed shot into the far top corner of the goal.—
Dermot Corrigan,
New York Times,
18 Feb. 2026
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The Olympic curling committee intervened after a heated row on the ice sparked by Sweden's curling team accusing their Canadian opponents of cheating during a matchup on Friday.—
Seth Doane,
CBS News,
18 Feb. 2026
Verb
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Michelle Yeoh is wincing at the thought of collecting her honorary Golden Bear here in Berlin.—
Lily Ford,
HollywoodReporter,
14 Feb. 2026
-
By the troubled end to his time at Molineux, Pereira appeared to wince each time the subject of sinking beer with supporters came up at press conferences.—
Steve Madeley,
New York Times,
13 Feb. 2026
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 21 Feb. 2026.
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