grimace

1 of 2

noun

gri·​mace ˈgri-məs How to pronounce grimace (audio) gri-ˈmās How to pronounce grimace (audio)
: a facial expression usually of disgust, disapproval, or pain
a grimace of hate and rage
grimacer noun

grimace

2 of 2

verb

grimaced; grimacing

intransitive verb

: to distort one's face in an expression usually of pain, disgust, or disapproval
Grimacing slightly, he runs his finger over the back of his heel, where a deep … fissure has opened inside a callus.Chris Ballard
My father shifted his weight and grimaced. The sheet slid off his injured leg, the calf swollen, purple as a plum …Bernard Cooper

Examples of grimace in a Sentence

Noun The patient made a painful grimace as the doctor examined his wound. he made a grimace when he tasted the medicine Verb playgoers grimaced at the actor's terrible attempt at a French accent
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Noun
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
Verb
Williams grimaced in protest Thursday when Love made the allegations related to Thomas. Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 1 Nov. 2024 For several moments after he was tagged out, Ohtani laid flat near the base, grimacing in what appeared to be significant pain. Steve Henson, Los Angeles Times, 31 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for grimace 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Middle French, alteration of grimache, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English grīma mask

First Known Use

Noun

1651, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1762, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of grimace was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near grimace

Cite this Entry

“Grimace.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grimace. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

grimace

noun
grim·​ace
ˈgrim-əs,
grim-ˈās
: facial expression usually of disgust, disapproval, or pain
grimace verb

More from Merriam-Webster on grimace

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