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
-
Uruguay is a place that shuns extremes — where abrasive politics is frowned upon.—
Jay Nordlinger,
National Review,
25 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.—
Chase Jordan,
Charlotte Observer,
17 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
What Aimee Lou Wood conveys with an energetic smile and exclamation, Walton Goggins portrays with a scowl and an expletive.—
Proma Khosla,
IndieWire,
16 Feb. 2025
-
Serve up in a stemmed glass, and garnish with a scowl, or perhaps a war story.—
Jeremy Repanich,
Robb Report,
7 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
In the sweet snap, Tove can be seen nestled between Collins and McDowell, staring up at her dad.—
Hannah Sacks,
People.com,
19 Feb. 2025
-
With the Senators not back in action until Wednesday, fans will stare feverishly at the wild-card standings.—
Julian McKenzie,
The Athletic,
24 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
Arora’s big bet helped attract us to Palo Alto Networks for the first time, realizing that the executive was quite literally putting his money where his mouth was.—
Kevin Stankiewicz,
CNBC,
18 Feb. 2025
-
Saini, a Harvard Medical School graduate, said the main symptoms of chemo mouth are red, swollen and painful sores in the mouth, also known as oral mucositis.—
Angelica Stabile,
Fox News,
21 Feb. 2025
Verb
-
Snobs who love to sneer at those crude Americans across the water have been given a boost, thanks in particular to the distinctively aggressive style of President Donald Trump.—
Arthur I. Cyr,
Chicago Tribune,
19 Feb. 2025
-
Lorne Michaels is a show business icon who is also nearly 80 and can be forgiven for wanting to stick around long enough to enjoy a victory lap (50 years helming a network powerhouse is nothing to sneer at, after all).—
Rebecca Jennings,
Vox,
13 Feb. 2025
Noun
-
These terms are often tossed around with a smirk, used to describe parents who hover over every detail of their children’s lives—ensuring every problem is fixed, every obstacle removed.—
Marvin Krislov,
Forbes,
19 Feb. 2025
-
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
Cite this Entry
“Grimace.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/grimace. Accessed 2 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share