as in to stare
to take a look with the eyes narrowed (as because of difficulty seeing)
He squinted in her direction, but couldn't make her out with the sun behind her.
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1
as in strabismus
British
difficulty in seeing resulting from improper alignment of the eyes
The child was born with a squint that was eventually corrected through surgery.
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Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of squint
Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
And squinting is not necessary to see a vision for him.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Byrne has never been better, sharper, or more intimidating as a screen presence, carrying the movie with squints and frowns.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squint
Verb
Even though Ament is flawed, teams can squint and see the upside in a 6-foot-10 wing who can dribble, pass and shoot.
—Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 2 Mar. 2026
And squinting is not necessary to see a vision for him.
—Troy Renck, Denver Post, 27 Feb. 2026
Noun
And in a third, the gaunt 30-year-old killer flexes, purses his lips and squints.
—Michael Ruiz, FOXNews.com, 10 Sep. 2025
Byrne has never been better, sharper, or more intimidating as a screen presence, carrying the movie with squints and frowns.
—Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for squint
Recent Examples of Synonyms for squint
Verb
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For anyone who has ever stared at a mysterious door, hatch, or panel in their home and wondered what was on the other side, Bareilles’ video serves as both entertainment and a cautionary tale.—
Ryan Brennan,
Kansas City Star,
23 Mar. 2026
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For anyone who has ever looked into their dog’s eyes and sensed a deeper understanding staring back, Chaser’s story is powerful validation.—
Hanna Wickes,
Miami Herald,
23 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Barrel Cards The barrel card exercise can help improve symptoms of strabismus (crossed eyes).—
Laura Schober,
Health,
12 Feb. 2025
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One of his conditions, strabismus,has also been reported by researchers to be behind the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, allowing the painter to perceive the world differently and facilitating his accurate depiction of three-dimensional objects on flat surfaces.—
Maya Davis,
CNN,
4 Aug. 2024
Noun
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Meanwhile, Matsuoka’s speechless wife becomes obsessed with collecting and recycling trash bags filled with plastic cans, crushing them underfoot with a giddy gaze on her face.—
Ryan Lattanzio,
IndieWire,
25 Mar. 2026
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No lives that were changed by his gaze that day — including, to my disappointment, mine.—
Taran Khan,
The Dial,
24 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Noel peered into the small window in the door and knocked.—
Julie K. Brown,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
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Missions to Mars have looked for signs of photosynthesis – the process by which plants take in energy – and telescopes peering deep into space look for oxygen, which organisms on Earth release into the atmosphere.—
Mary Magnuson,
The Conversation,
20 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Benjamin Franklin would invent bifocals in 1874, Thomas Young would spot the uneven curvature of the cornea (astigmatism) in 1801, and steel wire would be developed in metal frames after 1837.—
Daniel Fusch,
Ascend Agency,
11 Nov. 2025
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Myopia is when someone can see objects close-up but their vision becomes blurred when looking at objects farther away, and astigmatism is a condition in which either the eye’s cornea or lens has a different shape than normal, causing blurred vision.—
Jacqueline Howard,
CNN Money,
26 Sep. 2025
Noun
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Most schools take place in mud huts or shacks shared by dozens of young men, away from public glare.—
Mogomotsi Magome,
Los Angeles Times,
20 Mar. 2026
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Lenses are designed to eliminate 100% of UVA/UVB harmful blue light and glare, protecting your eyes in style.—
Tory Johnson,
ABC News,
19 Mar. 2026
Verb
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Martha and the Dutch boy glanced at each other again and blushed.—
Cassandra Neyenesch,
New Yorker,
29 Mar. 2026
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Waxahachie head coach Ariel Raney glances toward the scoreboard as an Indians batter steps to the plate to start the bottom of the third inning of play against Duncanville.—
Dallas Morning News,
Dallas Morning News,
28 Mar. 2026
Noun
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Other Democratic strategists too say the state party is pitching a longer-term vision to the national donors getting calls from Florida Democrats today in hopes of boosting their coffers after Tuesday’s over performance.—
Claire Heddles,
Miami Herald,
25 Mar. 2026
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Trefethen led a similar portfolio at the philanthropic organization, Coefficient Giving, which is a major funder of the effective altruism community that has sometimes clashed with OpenAI’s vision for artificial intelligence.—
Thalia Beaty,
Fortune,
25 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Squint.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/squint. Accessed 31 Mar. 2026.
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