grimacing

[ grim-uhs-ing, gri-mey-sing ]

adjective

1. making or causing a facial expression, often ugly or contorted, that indicates disapproval, pain, disgust, etc.:

   To the grimacing dissatisfaction of coffee drinkers, pranksters had put salt in the sugar bowl.

noun

1. the act of making a facial expression that indicates disapproval, pain, disgust, etc.:

   Incoming patients can be made anxious by the grimacing of other patients waiting to be seen.

Other Words From

• grim·ac·ing·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of grimacing¹

First recorded in 1740–50; grimace ( def ) + -ing ²( def ) for the adjective; grimace ( def ) + -ing ¹( def ) for the noun

Example Sentences

Fields missed one play, then sandwiched a dart to the end zone between grimaces of pain.

From Washington Post

Winston Ross on the spooky case that has authorities grimacing.

From The Daily Beast

His light found a squat skeleton sitting there grimacing at him.

From Project Gutenberg

Close upon their heels press forward a chattering grimacing group from Naples.

From Project Gutenberg

Nick passed on and quickly paused again; this time, his mother discerned, before the marble image of a strange grimacing woman.

From Project Gutenberg

Grimacing, he pressed the edges of the wound together and willed that the bleeding stop.

From Project Gutenberg

Then, his work finished, he threw the mattock into the brush and set out again, grimacing disgustedly and scratching himself.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• contort
• frown
• scowl
• smirk
• sneer