1
2
as in distorts
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 flinches
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
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squinches
Verb
-
The girl crouches because there is no room to stand.—
Judith Shulevitz,
The Atlantic,
17 Feb. 2026 -
Alyssa Liu just literally crouches down right in front of us on the press row, right at the ice.—
Dana Taylor,
USA Today,
5 Feb. 2026
Verb
-
First, the skull weakens and distorts sound waves.—
Kurt Knutsson,
FOXNews.com,
2 Mar. 2026
-
The work depicts a camel whose body distorts into a landmass, possibly Kazakhstan itself.—
Anel Rakhimzhanova,
Artforum,
1 Mar. 2026
Verb
-
Lubezki’s camera gets close to the action and never flinches, which underscores Iñarritu’s commitment to excessive mayhem at every turn.—
Eric Kohn,
IndieWire,
25 Feb. 2026
-
Cash flinches from this cascade of consequences.—
Gideon Leek,
The Atlantic,
13 Jan. 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
-
Ask anyone in Teahupo’o about that thing, and expect grimaces and shaking heads.—
Megan Spurrell,
Condé Nast Traveler,
23 July 2024
Verb
-
There’s a scene in which Frank meets his own idol, an alt-world version of Fred Astaire (played by Gyllenhaal’s brother Jake, who is good at mugging and singing), and vomits his fandom at him until the actor recoils.—
Amy Nicholson,
Los Angeles Times,
4 Mar. 2026
-
At some point, each of us is faced with a clingy child, a dramatic friend, a partner who recoils at the first hint of intimacy, a volatile parent or a controlling boss — in short, a difficult relationship.—
Jessica A. Stern,
The Conversation,
23 Jan. 2026
Noun
-
Those surrounding the bride stood up and began clapping, their frowns shifting to wide smiles.—
Rachel Raposas,
PEOPLE,
5 Nov. 2025
-
If only humans kept their expressions to cartoonishly clear frowns and smiles.—
Matt Fuchs,
Time,
4 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
At this point, you’d be forgiven for expecting a straightforward werewolf story, but Cassidy’s novel stretches and contorts into something far stranger, more audacious, and ultimately, both heartbreaking and triumphant.—
Emma Alpern,
Vulture,
2 Dec. 2025
-
With an almost modern-day Charlie Chaplin-esque physicality, Moss dances, contorts, and frolics amongst the shoes, their boxes, and fixtures in the store for a mesmerizing, can't-look-away effect.—
Roxanne Robinson,
Forbes.com,
2 Sep. 2025
Verb
-
Bryan winces after weighing in at 597 lbs.—
Vanessa Etienne,
PEOPLE,
9 Dec. 2025
-
When the crowd begins hooting in response, Nanjiani winces.—
Kathryn VanArendonk,
Vulture,
3 Dec. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Squinches.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squinches. Accessed 9 Mar. 2026.
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