1
as in to front
to stand or sit with the face or front toward
the house faces the sparkling blue waters of the Pacific Ocean
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
2
as in to confront
to oppose (something hostile or dangerous) with firmness or courage
movie superheroes who are ever ready to face danger without blinking an eye
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in to clad
to cover with something that protects
we decided to face our old frame house with aluminum siding
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in to encounter
to enter into contest or conflict with
the Boston Red Sox were eager to face their traditional rivals, the Yankees, in the play-offs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in looks
the front part of the head
the criminal hid his face from the news cameras as he slumped into the patrol car
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in front
a forward part or surface
the face of the store building has been altered many times over the years to meet changing tastes and needs
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in grimace
a twisting of the facial features in disgust or disapproval
it's rude to make a face when your dinner hostess offers you broccoli
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in exterior
an outer part or layer
a much-needed sandblasting revealed that the face of the old stone church is actually a pinkish granite
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
5
as in look
facial appearance regarded as an indication of mood or feeling
a rainy day is no excuse for just moping around with a long face, so let's do something
Synonyms & Similar Words
6
as in appearance
outward and often deceptive indication
on the face of it, the country went to war for noble reasons
Synonyms & Similar Words
7
as in person
a member of the human race
I see they've hired some new faces
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gall
shameless boldness
you have to wonder how anyone has the face to ask such a personal question
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in assurance
a state of mind in which one is free from doubt
he managed to maintain face despite the endless series of crises
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 face
Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025
Brownlee faces a minimum sentence of 35 years to life in prison and will be sentenced in July, according to the statement.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2025
Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
Tellingly, every Iraqi has the same face—Hussein’s.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face
Verb
But like most things politics these days, the effort — despite the bipartisan support — is facing some hurdles.
—Kaitlyn Schallhorn, Oc Register, 29 Mar. 2025
Brownlee faces a minimum sentence of 35 years to life in prison and will be sentenced in July, according to the statement.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 29 Mar. 2025
Noun
Arielle Konig suffered multiple lacerations to her face and head and was hospitalized in serious but stable condition, according to the court documents.
—Emily Shapiro, ABC News, 28 Mar. 2025
Tellingly, every Iraqi has the same face—Hussein’s.
—Emily Watlington, ARTnews.com, 28 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for face
Recent Examples of Synonyms for face
Verb
-
The engineer met Page on a package tour in the latter half of the 1960s, when his band Lawson and Four More, fronted by Bobby Lawson, supported the Yardbirds.—
Jim Beaugez,
Rolling Stone,
27 Mar. 2025
-
His four-pitch mix — fronted by a 99-mph fastball — has earned him comps to future Hall of Famer Justin Verlander.—
Anthony Stitt,
Forbes.com,
27 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
Shortly before his death, A.B. confronted Lilly in his office and threatened to expose her for misappropriating funds, illegally securing contracts, trading favors with different vendors and sneaking individuals into the White House.—
Max Gao,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
-
We are increasingly confronted with insurmountable global challenges, conflicts that defy easy solutions, and systemic injustices woven into society's fabric.—
Cornelia C. Walther,
Forbes,
22 Mar. 2025
Verb
-
The grain of custom oak millwork is placed in contrasting directions on the kitchen cabinetry and the oversized panels cladding the breakfast nook wall around the custom sensuous banquette that is fabricated by Seventeen Second Design.—
Jessica Ritz,
Architectural Digest,
26 Mar. 2025
-
However, here, the 4,150-square-foot main residence and the complementary two-story lakeside cabana adhere to a relaxed, traditional New England style with grey shingles cladding the exteriors.—
Emma Reynolds,
Robb Report,
3 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In 2003, a German graduate student named Britta Späth encountered the McKay conjecture, one of the biggest open problems in the mathematical realm known as group theory.—
Leila Sloman,
WIRED,
23 Mar. 2025
-
After college, the Florida native encountered her first hurdle at the gates of medical schools.—
Zoey Lyttle,
People.com,
23 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Though the statesman tries to stay one step ahead of the sovereign, the facade he’s so carefully crafted starts to crack.—
Aramide Tinubu,
Variety,
23 Mar. 2025
-
The iconic flag is bolted onto the facades of brick homes.—
Sara Miller Llana,
The Christian Science Monitor,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Those could also prove useful, but will face the challenge of distinguishing facial expressions unique to pain rather than similar grimaces related to being hungry.—
IEEE Spectrum,
IEEE Spectrum,
3 May 2017
-
In the movie, the monkey is a two-foot-tall sculpted plastic model whose arms bang up and down on a drum, as his mouth opens up to bare its teeth in a violent grimace.—
Owen Gleiberman,
Variety,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
One of those earlier safety campaigns, in June of last year, pertained to trim pieces along the exterior of the trunk bed that could come loose while driving.—
Bloomberg,
The Mercury News,
20 Mar. 2025
-
For clever organization, snag the Lark Manor Thurleigh Ottoman, which has a soft fleece exterior, can double as seating, and hides a storage compartment.—
Shea Simmons,
Southern Living,
20 Mar. 2025
Noun
-
Available for purchase separately or in a duo with the lip liner, the new Shade Slick Sheens include four shimmery shades that work effortlessly with the liners for a juicy lip look.—
Claire Sullivan,
WWD,
18 Mar. 2025
-
Here is what was being said both in favor and against the look.—
Pete Grathoff,
Kansas City Star,
18 Mar. 2025
Video
When Body Parts Are Also Verbs
Head, shoulders, metaphors, and toes
Cite this Entry
“Face.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/face. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share