as in to frown
to distort one's face
playgoers grimaced at the actor's terrible attempt at a French accent
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in scowl
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
he made a grimace when he tasted the medicine
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
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 grimace
IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2014
There’s no need to ask for his further blessings, and having noticed Philip’s many grimaces of disapproval in the background of Eddie’s selfies, Elsbeth and Kaya decide to attend a performance themselves, sitting in his late grandmother’s seats.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
His grimace is absolute aggression—all venom and intimidation.
—Jason Parham, WIRED, 28 Aug. 2023
Before the new horror sequel Smile 2 scares its way into theaters, people sporting haunting grimaces are popping up at Major League Baseball games to seemingly promote the film.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grimace 
Noun
The researchers found that when people fake pain, their mouth-opening action during grimaces is too regular.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2014
There’s no need to ask for his further blessings, and having noticed Philip’s many grimaces of disapproval in the background of Eddie’s selfies, Elsbeth and Kaya decide to attend a performance themselves, sitting in his late grandmother’s seats.
—Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 17 Oct. 2024
His grimace is absolute aggression—all venom and intimidation.
—Jason Parham, WIRED, 28 Aug. 2023
Before the new horror sequel Smile 2 scares its way into theaters, people sporting haunting grimaces are popping up at Major League Baseball games to seemingly promote the film.
—Tommy McArdle, People.com, 15 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for grimace
Recent Examples of Synonyms for grimace
Verb
-
Quite a few dead U.S. presidents are perhaps frowning in the hereafter after Donald Trump continues to push for the annexation of Canada.—
Charles Selle,
Chicago Tribune,
12 Feb. 2025
-
Leeper was part of the DJ crowd that attracted Black and white teens because the station played R&B and rock n’ roll, which many grown-ups frowned upon at the time.—
Joe Marusak,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Serve up in a stemmed glass, and garnish with a scowl, or perhaps a war story.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2025
-
With a scowl on his face, a beer in one hand, a cigarette in the other, Ferrell's unexpected appearance had fans equal parts amused and confused.—
Daniel R. Depetris,
Newsweek,
1 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
The king stares intently into an eternal distance through composite orbs fashioned from alabaster and glass, rendered in varying degrees of clarity, transparency and opacity.—
Christopher Knight,
Los Angeles Times,
11 Feb. 2025
-
There are Super Bowl rookies staring around the place with eyes as wide as dinner plates (this reporter falls into that camp), there are members of the international media who have flown from around the world to be here.—
Kyle Feldscher,
CNN,
4 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
His tiny pink tongue hung out of his mouth much of the time.—
Maya Salam,
New York Times,
8 Feb. 2025
-
The new species was identified by its DNA, mouth, toe shape, finger shape, skin texture and other subtle physical features, the study said.—
Aspen Pflughoeft,
Miami Herald,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Rainn Wilson has come in from the world of TV to play the sneering plutocrat Caldwell B. Cladwell.—
Jackson McHenry,
Vulture,
7 Feb. 2025
-
The sneering joylessness that has dogged this group all season was replaced instead with intensity and even a sense of fun.—
Thomas Drance,
The Athletic,
5 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
The fifth season of Hulu’s hit dystopian series had began with the smirk seen ’round the globe that pit June Osborne (Moss) against Serena Joy Waterford (Strahovski).—
Jackie Strause,
The Hollywood Reporter,
12 Feb. 2025
-
With a smirk on his face, Irving is instructed to walk into the forest.—
Ethan Shanfeld,
Variety,
7 Feb. 2025
Thesaurus Entries Near grimace
Cite this Entry
“Grimace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimace. Accessed 21 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share