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
-
Brandon Wolf crouched in the corner of the nightclub bathroom for what felt like forever as gunshots rang out.—
Natalia Jaramillo,
The Orlando Sentinel,
11 June 2026
-
Seconds later, the same officer — now with his gun holstered — is captured on the camera crouching and clutching his left shoulder in pain.—
Corky Siemaszko,
NBC news,
11 June 2026
Verb
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During our research, what first struck us was the extent to which the clichés surrounding the great figures of Antiquity have often distorted our perception of these historical characters.—
Roberto Prieto,
Variety,
17 June 2026
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This attempt to distort the facts for personal gain should be viewed with significant skepticism.—
Kim Gorsuch,
Sun Sentinel,
16 June 2026
Verb
-
The moose flinched and stiffened.—
Fred Bear,
Outdoor Life,
11 June 2026
-
One participant flinched, as if struck.—
Yoni Appelbaum,
The Atlantic,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
He was immortalized in a perpetual full-body muscle flex, and bore the grimace of a guy who really, really wants to pick a fight.—
Richard Edwards,
Space.com,
1 June 2026
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And Ahmed, with his fearful eyes and tense grimace, makes for a compellingly sad and isolated figure.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
14 Apr. 2026
Verb
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If lightning is detected 16 miles away from the stadium — say at the FIFA Fan Festival at Bayfront Park, Miami International Airport or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, or along Ocean Drive on South Beach — these officials huddle and start monitoring the movement of the storm cell.—
Howard Cohen,
Miami Herald,
10 June 2026
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Ambulances were on the scene on Wednesday morning to carry away the bodies of victims, while some community members huddled in groups on the streets.—
CBS News,
CBS News,
10 June 2026
Verb
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In a lively atmosphere at San Francisco Bay Area Stadium (AKA Levi’s Stadium), Austria took the lead through a curling effort from distance by Romano Schmid in the 21st minute — the 10th goal from outside the box at this tournament, only two fewer than there were in all of Qatar 2022.—
Charlotte Harpur,
New York Times,
17 June 2026
-
Olwan crossed midfield all alone, caught up to Noor Alrawabdeh’s long pass, dribbled down the left wing, breached the penalty box, cut past defender Philipp Leinhart, then, from some 15 yards, curled a shot that kissed off the inside of the right post.—
Cam Inman,
Mercury News,
17 June 2026
Verb
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Otherwise, Makar will be wincing through pain trying to explain the unfathomable, Blackwood will be dropping F-bombs in disbelief and MacKinnon will be ducking reporters despite being the team’s best player.—
Troy Renck,
Denver Post,
11 June 2026
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The Republican Congress — filled with Netanyahu fans and hawks eager to align with Israel — winced.—
Burgess Everett,
semafor.com,
8 June 2026
Noun
-
Numbers might be up, but frowns are also up.—
Tasha Robinson,
Vulture,
16 June 2026
-
Turning a smile into a frown, or a frown into a smile.—
Jim Hemphill,
IndieWire,
9 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squinch.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinch. Accessed 18 Jun. 2026.
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